Hollywood star Steven Seagal has been handed a Russian passport by President Vladimir Putin just weeks after being granted citizenship.
The
American action hero actor, 64, was given the travel document
personally by the Kremlin leader after the two men struck up a
friendship several years ago.
Seagal has visited Russia repeatedly in recent years and also defended Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Speaking about the passport Putin said: "We have agreed from the very beginning that we won’t politicise this matter."
He
said it would make it easier for the Under Siege actor to maintain his
Russian friends while also allowing him to work freely in the country.
"I would like to congratulate you, and I also hope that
this small step will mark the beginning of the gradual improvement in
our interstate relations," Putin said.
"The passport won’t be valid without your signature," he added handing the passport over to Seagal for him to sign.
"Thank you very much", Seagal replied.
The American is the latest in a string of high-profile Westerners to be granted Russian citizenship by Putin.
Hollywood actor Steve Seagal given Russian passport personally by Vladimir Putin
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