Steven Seagal sees Russia and Ukraine as ‘one family’
Martial artist Steven Seagal apparently views Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a domestic spat.
The “On Deadly Ground” actor told Fox News Digital that he knows people who have family and friends in the warring countries and believes an “outside entity” is to blame for the violence between the neighboring nations.
“I look at both as one family and really believe it is an outside entity spending huge sums of money on propaganda to provoke the two countries to be at odds with each other,” Seagal said. “My prayers are that both countries will come to a positive, peaceful resolution where we can live and thrive together in peace.”
Seagal, a Michigan native, became a Russian citizen in 2016. The Russian president personally handed the sycophantic actor his passport.
USA Today reported that Seagal once called Putin “one of the greatest living world leaders,” defended his invasion of Crimea and said he was coming to see the Russian strongman as “a brother.”
In 2017, Ukraine labeled the 69-year-old “Under Siege” star a security risk and prohibited him from entering the country.
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Putin and Seagal have a shared interest in martial arts. Seagal holds a 7th degree black belt in Aikido. Putin had an honorary black belt from World Taekwondo, which was revoked Monday because of the Russian leader’s “brutal attacks” on Ukraine. The International Judo Federation also admonished the 69-year-old leader by suspending his status as its honorary president Sunday.
Russia made Seagal a special humanitarian envoy to the United States in 2018 to encourage “cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges” between the countries.
With News Wire Services
