Vladimir Putin has personally handed a new Russian passport to the American actor Steven Seagal and said he hoped the gesture showed a “normalisation” of strained relations with Washington. The two men then rose and shook hands, with Putin saying briefly: “I congratulate you,” and Seagal answering, in Russian: “Thank you very much.”Steven Seagal granted Russian citizenship by Vladimir Putin Read moreThe Kremlin released a transcript of their chat, with Putin saying they had been discussing citizenship for a while and agreed it must be an “absolutely depoliticised act”. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Putin holds the passport before handing it to Seagal. Seagal called the passport a “great honour” to which Putin responded by telling him he hoped their “personal relationship will remain and continue”. Seagal is the latest in a string of high-profile westerners to be granted Russian citizenship after buddying up with Putin.

Source: The Guardian November 25, 2016 17:19 UTC