Putin hands action star Russian passport
Seagal is the latest in a string of high-profile Westerners to be granted Russian citizenship after buddying up with Putin.
Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with Steven Seagal after presenting him with a Russian passport during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, on November 25, 2016
Recommended articles
![Joeboy - Is My Love Not Enough [Bellanaija]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Joeboy - Is My Love Not Enough [Bellanaija]")
Sitting at a round table in the Kremlin at a televised meeting, Putin showed the Hollywood actor where to sign the passport.
They then rose and shook hands with Putin saying briefly: "I congratulate you," and Seagal answering in Russian: "Spasibo bolshoye," or thank you very much.
The Kremlin released a transcript of their chat, with Putin saying that they had been discussing citizenship for "quite a while" and agreed it must be an "absolutely depoliticised act."
ADVERTISEMENT
Putin said he hoped that adding Seagal to the list of celebrities who have gained Russian citizenship in recent years could be seen as "a sign of gradual normalisation of the relations between our countries."
Seagal called the passport a "great honour," while Putin responded by telling him he hoped "our personal relationship will remain and continue."
Veteran French actor Gerard Depardieu was given a Russian passport in 2013 after the star became a tax exile in ire over rate hikes in his native country.
Putin has also handed out citizenship to US boxer Roy Jones Jr after sipping tea with him in Crimea and to American mixed martial artist Jeff Monson.
Seagal's fame peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s with films such as "Under Siege" and "Above the Law", but he remains hugely popular in eastern Europe and was granted Serbian citizenship in January.
ADVERTISEMENT
Like Depardieu, he has previously hung out with Putin, a fellow martial arts fan, and other strongmen leaders from the former Soviet Union.
After Russia's annexation of Crimea, Seagal called Putin "one of the great living world leaders" and even performed with his blues band in the annexed Black Sea peninsula.
In August, veteran Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko made Seagal eat one of his homegrown carrots in an awkward encounter that drew mockery online.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Superman actor Henry Cavill is expecting his first child with girlfriend
Tiwa Savage says she became a 'boss lady' to make new film 'Water and Garri'
Tems has dropped the trailer for 'Born in the Wild' her upcoming album
See Joeboy fall in love with Jemima Osunde in short film ‘Is My Love Not Enough’
Nigeria's Victony Set for Kampala concert this month
Twitch star Kai Cenat threatens to sue OnlyFans model who leaked their chats
We sleep together - Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on settling conflict with his wife Cynthia
Here's how the Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J Cole, A$AP Rocky beef has gone so far
Indian Nollywood series with RMD, Tobi Bakre 'Postcards' to debut May 3 on Netflix
Pulse Sports
Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami
Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe
Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024
Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve
Like Michael Jordan - Details of Victor Osimhen’s ‘superhuman’ jump against Monza emerges
ADVERTISEMENT
