How Steven Seagal got his Russian citizenship

The 64 year old actor Steven Seagal was recently granted Russian Citizenship courtesy of President Vladimir Putin.

To a normal person there are various way to become a naturalized citizen in Russia, by means of meeting certain criteria. One must apply for permanent residency and be an actual permanent resident of Russia for fives year minimum. One also needs the ability to work and have a valid source of income, as well as fluency over the Russian language (this will be proven by passing a language test).

But for Steven Seagal, he had a different journey. According to The Guardian, these included complementing President Vladimir Putin, haning out with the leader Ramzan Kadyrov in Chechnya to laugh off concerns about his record of abysmal human rights. And join a traditional folk dance.

After which, you will be invited back to Moscow to spend some alone time President Putin to build personal rapport. Dally with local media, and go to a few trips around the region for odd experiences. For instance, in Belarus "the last dictator in Europe" hands you a freshly peeled carrot and then go horseback riding wearing a medieval warrior armor in Kyrgyzstan.

While according to Daily Mail, Steven Seagal's citizenship was earned by his long close friendship with Putin, numerous visits to Russia and by defending Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The source also stated that Steven's fame was a big factor in his citizenship grant, the actor is very well known for feeling towards Russia and has never concealed them.

Seagal shares a deep appreciation for  martial arts like President Putin and the several other leaders of the Soviet Union. Seagal finds Putin to be one of the greatest world leaders alive today, and even performed with his blues band in the annexed Black Sea peninsula.