Europe 1 with AFP 5:47 p.m., February 27, 2023

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree awarding the "Order of Friendship" to a famous American actor, who was one of the action movie stars of the 1980s and 1990s, Steven Seagal.

The former Hollywood star has become an active defender of the Russian president in recent years and, more recently, of his offensive against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday decorated American actor Steven Seagal, a former Hollywood star who in recent years has become an active defender of the Russian president and, more recently, of his offensive against Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the "Order of Friendship" to the actor for "his great contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation", said a document published on the Russian government's official legal website.

Vladimir Putin and Steven Seagal, in 2016.


Credits: AFP

Aikido specialist Steven Seagal, 70, was one of the stars of American action cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. As his career waned, the native of Lansing, Michigan, gradually brought closer to authoritarian leaders, in particular the head of the Kremlin.

In 2016, he received a Russian passport from the hands of Vladimir Putin, while retaining his American nationality.

Installed since in Russia, he even joined in 2021 a nationalist party.

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Meeting with the leader of pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk

Last August, he traveled to eastern Ukraine to meet with the leader of the pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, and offer his support.

He then visited the prison of Olenivka, near Donetsk, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners died in an explosion this summer.

For Vladimir Putin's 70th birthday in October, Steven Seagal also recorded a video of support for the Russian president, whom he called "one of the greatest leaders in the world".

"I really hope, and I pray that he receives the support, love and respect he needs. And that all the current tribulations will end soon, that we will live in a world at peace", added Steven Seagal.