Vladimir Putin And Steven Seagal's Friendship May Be 'Hard To Kill' After This Award

Just a few days into the second year of the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded “Under Seige” and "Hard To Kill" actor Steven Seagal a state decoration designated for a person who has contributed to strengthening peace and friendship between nations.

Seagal, an American actor, screenwriter and martial artist who gained Russian citizenship in 2016 was awarded Russia’s Order of Friendship on Feb. 27, according to multiple news outlets. The state decoration was established in 1994 by former president Boris Yeltsin.

The Backdrop

The actor who once said “I am hoping that I can be known as a great writer and actor some day, rather than a sex symbol” previously took home an award for Worst Director at the 1995 Golden Raspberry Awards for his movie “On Deadly Ground.” Although, Seagal gained Putin's admiration for his warmth toward Russia.

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Last August, the 70-year-old actor visited the wreckage of Olenivka prison in the Russian occupied area of Donetsk, just weeks after a massacre of over 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war at the site, according to Sky News. Seagal was also an outspoken advocate of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, according to AP News.

The decree recognized Seagal for his "great contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation," according to CNN.

Other Notable Honoraries of the Order of Friendship

Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde and former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are all recipients of the Order of Friendship.

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