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| Steven Seagal was granted Russian citizenship in 2016 Photo: www.kremlin.ru/Press Service of the President of Russia |
Hollywood action star Steven Seagal has been named as a special Russian envoy to America.
Russia's foreign ministry said the appointment of the Executive Decision actor - who was granted Russian citizenship in 2016 - was intended to strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties.
A spokesman wrote on Facebook: "The task is to facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including co-operation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges, and so on."
State news agency TASS reported Seagal as saying: "I’ve always tried to do everything possible to help Russian-American relations to improve."
Seagal has long expressed support for Russia, describing Russia's actions in the annexation of Crimea as "very reasonable" in 2014 and stating Russian president Vladimir Putin is "one of the great living world leaders".
The Under Siege star, who strongly denied sexual harassment claims against him last year, has previously been blacklisted by Ukraine over his ties to Russia.
Writing on Twitter, Seagal said; "I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been appointed as a special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in charge of Russian and American Humanitarian ties. I hope we can strive for peace, harmony and positive results in the world. I take this honour very seriously"
