Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher for £26 million Ukraine fundraising appeal

The couple reached their target on Thursday. Credit: Instagram/PA Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher for "inspiring the world" after they raised more than £26.6 million for the country.

The Hollywood power couple spoke with Mr Zelenskyy following their efforts to secure public donations to help supply humanitarian aid to those caught up in the conflict.

On Sunday, Mr Zelenskyy shared a photo on Twitter taken during a video call with the duo.

He wrote: "@aplusk & Mila Kunis were among the first to respond to our grief. They have already raised 35 million US dollars & are sending it to @flexport & @Airbnb to help (Ukrainian) refugees.

"Grateful for their support. Impressed by their determination. They inspire the world."

He added the hashtag #StandWithUkraine.

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Actress Mila Kunis was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine Credit: PA Images

Earlier this month, the couple committed to matching donations made to rental company Airbnb and freight transporter Flexport for up to £2.2 million, with the aim of raising £22.7 million.

They reached their target on Thursday with the total continuing the grow.

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Launching the appeal, Kunis, who was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, described herself as a "proud Ukrainian" whose family arrived in the US in 1991.

She wrote: "Ukrainians are proud and brave people who deserve our help in their time of need.

"This unjust attack on Ukraine and humanity at large is devastating and the Ukrainian people need our support."

The couple, who married in 2015 and share two children, have since promised to do "everything we can” to ensure that the money "finds maximum impact with those in need".

Fellow celebrity couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively also previously pledged to match donations up to £750,000 to support the growing number of Ukrainian refugees.

The pair urged people to donate to humanitarian charity US For UNHCR to help the thousands of citizens displaced by the conflict, and said they would double the support shown.

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