Putin grants Russian citizenship to US actor Steven Seagal

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order to give Russian citizenship to US actor Steven Seagal, the Kremlin said on its website on Thursday. Commenting on the subject on a conference call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Seagal has repeatedly asked for Russian citizenship. 

Seagal is famous for his “warm feelings towards Russia” that he has never concealed, Peskov said. “At the same time, he is a rather well-known actor, which became the reason for granting him Russian Federation citizenship,” Peskov said. Seagal, who according to his own website is 64, is the latest Western celebrity who has been given a Russian passport in the past few years.

In 2013, Gerard Depardieu, a French actor, was given Russian citizenship by Putin.