Steven Seagal’s views on Russia’s political activities are widely known – this is partly due to the fact that, in addition to being Serbian and American, the actor also has Russian citizenship. Although in the late 1990s he played the main role in the film “Patriot”, and his filmography is full of productions in which he played warfare or internal security experts, privately it is difficult to call him both a patriot and an expert, even though both titles strongly believes. Seagal has had a hand in copying Russian propaganda for years and has been rewarded for it again.
Earlier, he won Russian citizenship and supported the annexation of Crimea
According to information provided by Reuters, Vladimir Putin awarded the actor a significant state award – the Order of Friendship, by issuing a special decree on Monday, February 27, 2023. The award was motivated by “great contribution to international development [amerykańsko-rosyjskiej] cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
In 1999, Seagal also received the Humanitarian Award from PETA. Although his relations with Russia were not so close at the time, his support for the country’s president has been open for many years. In 2014, he supported the annexation of Crimea on the show “Night Wolves” in Sevastopol, calling Ukraine a country controlled by fascists, and in an interview with “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” he described Putin as “one of the greatest living world leaders.” Ukraine banned him from entering the country. Two years later, he received Russian citizenship, saying that he “would like to consider Putin as a brother.”
Quite persistently and for a long time he asked for citizenship. I wouldn’t necessarily say that [Putin] is a big fan of his, but has definitely seen a few of his movies.
– said then the spokesman of the government, Dmitry Peskov.
Not so long ago, he expressed meaningful birthday wishes to Putin
Seagal did not stop at obtaining Russian citizenship. On May 30, 2021, the pro-Kremlin opposition party Just Russia – Patriots – For Truth announced that the actor had been granted an official membership card. In 2022, he organized a birthday party to which he invited people affected by international sanctions for supporting the criminal activities of the Russian authorities. He also showed his support for Russia by congratulating Putin on his 70th birthday.
Today is President Putin’s birthday. I just think we’re living in very difficult times right now. He is one of the world’s greatest leaders and one of the world’s greatest presidents. I really hope and pray that he will get the support and love and respect he needs and that all the hardships that are going on now will soon end and we will live in a world of peace.
he said in a special video.
Eventually, he won the brotherhood of his dreams, receiving the Order of Friendship from Putin. Earlier, the honorable mention was received by, among others, former head of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge and Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank and former managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Elizabeth II’s cousin Prince Michael returned the order after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
