detente

Vladimir Putin Reportedly Gave Steven Seagal a Russian Passport As ‘Sign of Gradual Normalization’ of U.S.-Russia Relationship

2014 Chinese American Film Festival - Opening Night Ceremony
Photo: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

Vladimir Putin granted Steven Seagal Russian citizenship earlier this month, and now there’s no going back, as Putin gave Seagal a Russian passport on Friday. And according to Putin, Seagal’s passport isn’t merely the cement on a relationship between one martial-arts star and his favorite autocrat. No, that little booklet has apparent potential as a global emblem. According to Page Six, at the passport-giving ceremony, Putin told Seagal of his hopes for the event to be “a sign of a gradual normalization of the relations between the countries.” He also blared that sign loud and clear, as the ceremony was televised on Russian state TV. Well, as long as everybody’s taking their time.

Putin Reportedly Gave Seagal Russian Passport