American actor Steven Seagal met with Russian President Vladimir
Putin in Moscow to receive his official Russian passport. Putin signed
an executive order granting Seagal Russian citizenship on Nov. 3. Photo
courtesy of The Kremlin
Actor Steven Seagal
met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to receive a
Russian passport after being granted citizenship in early November.
The Kremlin shared photos and a transcript of the meeting, as Putin presented Seagal with the official document on Friday.
"You have many friends in this country and you
have professional plans as well. Naturally, Russian citizenship and a
Russian passport will make it easier for you to meet your friends and
carry out your plans," Putin said. "First, I would like to congratulate
you on this occasion and express the hope that this is yet another
gesture, probably a small one, but still a gesture, and may indicate a
gradual normalization of our interstate relations."
Putin signed an executive order
granting Seagal Russian citizenship on Nov. 3 after the action star
requested citizenship and referred to the Russian president as "one of
the greatest world leaders."
Seagal thanked Putin in Russian after signing
the passport, as Putin asked the actor about the status of his
"professional plans."
"Everything is good," Seagal said. "We will
talk later about the world, but for now I am just honored to be here,
and I am so happy to see you again."
The two men reportedly bonded over their
shared love of martial arts and Putin thanked Seagal for bringing gifts
and said he hoped the two "will preserve and continue our personal
relations," as they ended their meeting.
"Never ever falter, never," Seagal replied.
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