Putin has hosted the actor and martial arts specialist at his residence outside Moscow and the Kremlin has said the pair are longtime friends. The leader personally presented Seagal with a Russian passport in 2016.
Seagal's paternal grandparents were Russian Jews who immigrated to the U.S. and the actor traced his roots in the regions of Kalmykia, Tuva and Yakutia, RIA Novosti reported. Action star Steven Seagal has hinted that his role as Russian cultural envoy to the U.S. might change as ties between Washington and Moscow plummet. Above, Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Seagal after presenting him with a Russian passport at the Kremlin in 2016.When given the role of Russia's representative to the U.S.
But with Washington condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, and leading tough international sanctions against Moscow, mutual understanding between the countries is scarce.."There are discussions about how to change my position in terms of what I was previously appointed to," Seagal added, without specifying further.