Steven Seagal, Russian Citizen? President Vladimir Putin Makes ‘Executive Decision’ In Favor Of Martial Arts Star Official

Steven Seagal is Russian now, according to an executive order signed by President Vladimir Putin. This seems like a stretch after MAD TV portrayed him as a violence-happy man who loves “America” a little too much.

Seagal’s film history isn’t exactly one of his positive traits either. He tends to go for the medium budget action fare which often doesn’t get much love from critics. Since Under Siege. Hard to Kill, and Out for Justice, his presence in most movies isn’t usually accompanied by a healthy degree of intelligence. Of course, most stars of that time could say the same thing.

Mel Gibson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, two of the most prominent actors of the time, have both branched out into other genres to maintain some level of diversity in their careers. Even Bruce Willis has done more comedy films as he got older, although a few focused on fighting styles.

Wait. Putin and Steven Segal are friends??? https://t.co/lwG7XEvyJc

— Alex Merenda (@iammerenda) November 3, 2016

According to Time, Steven Seagal had been impressed by Russia’s acceptance of Judo as a form of self-defense in 2013.

“The first time I walked into his home I saw a life-sized statue of Kano Jigoro, who is the founder of judo, so I was immediately taken and impressed and sort of wanting to get to know this man deeper and deeper.”

It seems Vladimir Putin has a thing for martial arts and the related fighting styles. He has recently expressed his interest in ways Russian citizens can learn to defend themselves and their homeland.

“Children should become strong, they should be healthy, love sports and have an opportunity to practice them, should know how to defend themselves, their loved ones, their family. Ultimately, they should be able to defend their motherland.”

Sports and fighting styles are a great way to keep in shape as they keep the mind and body active and increase immunity. This can be helpful in a nation which is known for its frigid climate. An active mind can also lead to greater advances in science, one of Russia’s key strengths in the world.

Vladimir Putin wasn’t the first to want to bring fitness to Mother Russia as Joseph Stalin had been a major fan of keeping the citizens in shape in the 1930s. Sadly, he was also known for promoting communism at a time when the United States had a problem with it. With the end of the Cold War, it appears mass fitness faded into history. Putin wants to bring it back, and with help from noted celebrity Steven Seagal, he wants to make Russia great again.

Seagal apparently grew attached to Russia through his many visits to the nation as revealed by the stamps on his Russian visa. During these visits, he’d met with Putin and attended many Judo-related events. It appears Putin loves Judo, and Steven Seagal’s status as a teacher helped them bond through the years.

Maybe Donald Trump and Stephen Segal are deep sleeper agents for Russia! https://t.co/A7W7O3y0Sr

— psyclist (@chrisckeeley) November 3, 2016

It seems that while Seagal was taking breaks from his acting career, he was helping to promote fitness and self-defense across the world. He’d even had a TV series where he helped law enforcement take down criminals. Sadly, many believe he doesn’t look the part anymore.

USA Today says Steven Seagal isn’t the first actor or athlete to gain Russian citizenship. French actor Gérard Depardieu went into tax exile there in 2013, and American boxer Roy Jones Jr. also requested dual citizenship to alleviate costs of traveling back and forth.

Seagal would actually be given triple citizenship as he was also granted a passport by Serbia to help set up schools for the training of martial arts fighting styles.

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