Current:Home > FinancePutin gives Russian state award to actor Steven Seagal for "humanitarian work"-LoTradeCoin
Putin gives Russian state award to actor Steven Seagal for "humanitarian work"
View Date:2024-12-23 20:47:50
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday bestowed a state decoration on Steven Seagal, the American actor and martial artist who also holds Russian citizenship.
Seagal, known for his appearances in various action films over the last three decades, was awarded the Order of Friendship, according to an announcement on the Russian government's internet portal. The order recognizes people who Russia considers to have contributed to bettering international relations. Naming Seagal as its latest recipient, the decree said it was given as a reward for his international humanitarian and cultural work, Reuters reported.
Seagal was a vocal supporter of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and last year visited the Russian-held Ukrainian town of Olenivka where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war were reportedly killed in an attack for which Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other. In 2017, Ukraine banned Seagal from entering the country for five years, citing national security concerns.
Seagal was named in 2018 as a Russian Foreign Ministry humanitarian envoy to the United States and Japan.
"Steven Seagal was appointed as the Russian Foreign Ministry's special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties," the embassy said in a Facebook post announcing the appointment. "The task is to facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges, and so on."
Seagal visited Russia frequently for years before winning citizenship. A reported friend of the Russian president, Seagal accompanied Putin to several martial arts events during those visits. In November 2016, Putin granted Seagal a Russian passport.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Putin, told reporters at the time that Seagal "has been insistent for a long time in asking to be granted Russian citizenship," adding that "he is known for his warm feelings to our country, he never made a secret of it, and he's also a well-known actor, which gave grounds to make him a Russian citizen."
- In:
- Politics
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
- Moscow
veryGood! (764)
Related
- Ben Foster Files for Divorce From Laura Prepon After 6 Years of Marriage
- Elevate Your Self-Care With an 86% Discount on Serums From Augustinus Bader, Caudalie, Oribe, and More
- Northern Ireland’s top police officer apologizes for ‘industrial scale’ data breach
- Zendaya Visits Mural Honoring Euphoria Costar Angus Cloud After His Death
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Disney plans to hike streaming prices, join Netflix in crack down on subscription sharing
- Police investigate shooting at Nashville library that left 2 people wounded
- Elsa Pataky Pokes Fun at Husband Chris Hemsworth in Heartwarming Birthday Tribute
- Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
- Supreme Court blocks, for now, OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would shield Sacklers
Ranking
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
- Teen Social Media Star Lil Tay Confirms She's Alive And Not Dead After Hoax
- Supreme Court blocks, for now, OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would shield Sacklers
- Family of Henrietta Lacks files new lawsuit over cells harvested without her consent
- School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
- 'Full circle': Why some high school seniors are going back to school with kindergarten backpacks
- Pilot, passenger avoid serious injury after small plane lands in desert south of Las Vegas
- Elsa Pataky Pokes Fun at Husband Chris Hemsworth in Heartwarming Birthday Tribute
Recommendation
-
Why have wildfires been erupting across the East Coast this fall?
-
James Williams: The Crypto Visionary's Journey to Pioneering Digital Currency Investment
-
Nevada legislators reject use of federal coronavirus funds for private school scholarships
-
Snake in a toilet: Slithering visitor to Arizona home camps out where homeowner least expects it
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
-
Unleashing the Risk Dynamo: Charles Williams' Extraordinary Path from Central Banking to Cryptocurrency Triumphs
-
Mason Crosby is kicking from boat, everywhere else to remind NFL teams he still has it
-
Brody Jenner and Fiancée Tia Blanco Welcome First Baby