Has anyone checked on Steven Seagal?
This was the question posed in the last few hours by comedian Tom Arnold.
The sarcastic tweet was sent as Steven Seagal’s pal, Vladimir Putin, announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Explosions were soon heard in cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa – with the Ukraine military claiming 40 people have been killed.
Russia declaring war on democratic Ukraine is a clear sign of the detest Putin feels towards the West.
So with that in mind, what must Seagal be thinking?
After all, he’s been incredibly complimentary towards Putin in recent times, even describing him as a “brother”.
These words are now coming back to haunt him – with Arnold following up his earlier tweet with: “If Steven Seagal violently chokes out Vladimir Putin tonight he might get one last chance to work in Hollywood.”
(Image: TASS via Getty Images)
Below, we take a look inside one of the strangest friendships in the world.
Seagal, now 69, started out as a martial arts instructor before becoming a 90s action hero in blockbuster Hollywood movies.
He then enjoyed a profitable spell of producing and starring in his own Hollywood films – including Sniper: Special Ops.
But his career has often been plagued with controversy – and his friendship with Putin is right up there.
He once described fearsome Putin as “one of the greatest living world leaders” while also identifying the Russian president as being “like a brother” to him.
How did the friendship start?
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
It is believed the pair struck up a friendship because of their passion for martial arts.
Seagal is a 7th-dan black belt in aikido and he became the first foreigner to open an aikido dojo in Japan.
Putin meanwhile is obsessed with judo and is also an admirer of Conor McGregor – despite his security having to step in because of the UFC fighter’s action during their meeting.
Similar to Seagal, McGregor went on to describe Putin as “one of the greatest leaders of our time”.
And sharing their love of martial arts, Seagal and Putin became buddies and have attended combat demonstrations together.
But Seagal caused outrage when he started backing Putin’s actions – including when he supported Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
(Image: Getty Images)
Becoming a Russian citizen
The bizarre friendship was then sealed when the pair shook hands as Putin personally handed Seagal a Russian passport in November 2016.
Congratulating Seagal, the starstruck US actor replied in Russian: “Thank you very much.”
He then called the Russian passport a “great honour” before his buddy told the actor he hoped their “personal relationship will remain and continue”.
Their bromance took a weirder turn two years later when Seagal was appointed as a special envoy between the US and Russia in August 2018.
The Russian foreign ministry announced Seagal would promote relations between Moscow and Washington “in the humanitarian sphere”.
And Seagal said at the time: “I’ve always had a very strong desire to do all I can to help improve Russian-American relations.
(Image: Getty Images)
“I have worked tirelessly in this direction for many years unofficially and I am now very grateful for the opportunity to do the same thing officially.”
Seagal’s relationship with Ukraine
While it remains unclear what Seagal makes of the current invasion, it is obvious that Seagal is not a popular man in Ukraine.
The US actor was even banned from entering the country for five years in May 2017 – after being considered a threat to their national security.
A Ukrainian security service letter stated such actions are deemed appropriate when someone “committed socially dangerous actions… that contradict the interests of maintaining Ukraine’s security”.
This came after Ukraine had previously banned Russia from entering the Eurovision song content that was being held in Kyiv.
Seagal and Russian politics
As well as being a citizen, Seagal remains closely attached to Russia politically.
Last year he was awarded party membership for a political alliance called Just Russia – Patriots – For Truth.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to Reuters, the alliance is made up of three pro-Putin parties.
Putin admirer Seagal said at the time: “We really need to set up a situation where we can investigate, arrest, and prosecute people criminally so that there is results.
“Without being able to arrest people, when we just fine them, they are probably making more money of the production of the things that are defiling the environment.”
Internet trolling
While Hard to Kill star Seagal hasn’t commented publicly on the current situation in Ukraine, the internet has mocked him in the past few hours.
(Image: Getty Images)
One person tweeted: “Steven Seagal is reported to have taken down an entire Ukrainian battalion on his own. Russian troops are nicknaming him Sensei Blade.”
Mick Neven wrote: “Sanctions won’t hurt Putin. Only Steven Seagal can hurt Putin.”
Another added: “Maybe Steven Seagal can talk to Putin for us.”
And a similar commenter said: “The only one who can save Ukraine against Russia is Steven Seagal at this point.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
