Russia’s Foreign Ministry has made U.S. actor Steven Seagal its special representative for Russian-U.S. humanitarian ties. The role is meant to deepen cultural, art, and youth ties between the two countries.
Russian president Vladimir Putin gave Seagal, 66, a Russian passport in 2016. Putin said he hoped his appointment as a special representative would serve as a symbol of improving ties between Moscow and Washington, Reuters reported on Saturday.
Since 2016, relations between U.S. and Russia have chilled, with U.S. intelligence agencies accusing Moscow of interfering with the 2016 election.
The Russian Foreign Ministry compared Seagal’s new role to a U.N. goodwill ambassador. In a statement released on their official Facebook page on Saturday, the Ministry said the position was “socio-political” and the actor would receive no monetary reward. Seagal sometimes appears on Russian state TV to discuss his career and his views.
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Seagal and Putin are close friends, according to CNN. Seagal attended Putin’s swearing-in ceremony in May where he was sworn is as President for another six years.
In an interview on “Good Morning Britain” with Piers Morgan in September 2017, the actor said, “For anyone to think Vladimir Putin had anything to do with fixing the elections, or even that the Russians have that kind of technology, is stupid.” He called the notion of Russian interference “propaganda” and a “diversion” to the American people.
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Putin has appointed Steven Seagal as a special representative to improve relations between Russia and America https://t.co/LSGN708stw pic.twitter.com/4EAuRRIwVL
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) August 4, 2018
When people argue that Russia did not need American assistance (like, from inside the Trump campaign) to weaponize the data they stole, remember that Russia's understanding of American politics made them think this is a good idea. https://t.co/28WDniAb5e
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 5, 2018
This storyline is going to end with Seagal’s car being stopped at the Canadian border because Michael Cohen was making too much noise in his trunk. https://t.co/QWgKl4JYTb
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) August 5, 2018
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