Mila Kunisis having important conversations with her kids about heritage.
Kunis, 38, appeared onWho’s Talking to Chris Wallace?Thursday with her husbandAshton Kutcher, where she told hostChris Wallaceabout how she’s discussing thewar in Ukrainewith her two young children.
Kunis, who shares daughter Wyatt Isabelle, 7, and son Dimitri Portwood, 5, with Kutcher, 44, told Wallace she had always shared her heritage with her kids, but the topic took on a new weight whenRussia invaded Ukrainein February.
TheBad Momsactress was born in Ukraine; her familyleft the countryin 1991, when she was 7.
“I don’t speak Ukrainian. When I was raised in Ukraine it was still under the USSR umbrella, so I spoke Russian, which is what we all spoke,” Kunis told Wallace. “So my kids understand Russian. I speak Russian with my parents… I was like, ‘It’s good to know another language.’ That’s all I kind of kept thinking, was it’s good to know another language. But I never thought culturally speaking was important for where they came from.”
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She continued, “It never crossed my mind until this happened,” referring to the invasion of Ukraine. “It seemed like overnight we both turned to our kids and were like, ‘You are half Ukrainian, half American.’ It instantly became a thing, and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I get it Mom.’ "
Kunis added, “But it is ultimately incredibly important to know where you came from. It’s beautiful, it’s amazing to have multiple cultures. It’s a beautiful thing to have out there. We shouldn’t all be alike. We shouldn’t all think alike. That’s not the importance of community and growth. And so, we very quickly reminded our kids that they are half Ukrainian.”
In early March, the couplelaunched a fundraiserfor Ukrainian refugees viaGoFundMe, which has since raised over $35 million.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support,” Kunis said of passing the $30 million mark in anInstagramvideo March 17. “And while this is far from a solve of the problem, our collective effort will provide a softer landing for so many people as they forge ahead into their future of uncertainty.”
Kutcher added, “Our work is not done. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure the outpouring of love that came from you all as a part of this campaign finds a maximum impact for those in need.”
In announcing their fundraiser onInstagram, the stars said that money raised would go toward “Flexport.organdAirbnb.org, two organizations who are actively on the ground providing immediate help to those who need it most.” Kunis and Kutcher donated $3 million to the cause.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.C Flanigan/FilmMagic
Russia’sattack on Ukrainecontinues after their forces launched a large-scale invasion on Feb. 24 — the first major land conflict in Europe in decades.
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With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyycalled for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
