Hollywood actor and Russian citizen Steven Seagal has branded President Vladimir Putin “one of the greatest world leaders” in a strange birthday message as the Russian leader turns 70.
Six months after the American-born actor celebrated his 70th birthday in Moscow with a lavish dinner, Steven has sent his regards to Putin for his milestone birthday.
On October 7 (yesterday), Putin turned 70 and Steven sent him a very bizarre birthday message where he gushed over the president despite what is going on in Ukraine after the Russian invasion took place in February this year (2022).
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Steven uploaded a slew of clips that saw him deliver the message to his Instagram stories.
(Image: Instagram)
With subtitles written in Russian, the Under Siege actor spoke in English as he addressed his 480,000 Instagram followers.
He said: “Today is President Putin’s birthday. I just think that we are now living in very, very trying times. He is one of the greatest world leaders and one the greatest presidents in the world.”
He went on: “And I am really hoping and praying that he gets the support and the love and the respect that he needs.
“And that all the tribulations that are going on now will be over soon, and we will be living in a world of peace.”
(Image: Getty)
Taking to Twitter to discuss the strange video message, one person shared the video along with a quote from it and added: “What a weird bromance.”
Back in April at Seagal’s birthday meal, he said: “I love all of you and we stand together, through thick and through thin,” when speaking to the guests in attendance.
In attendance were figures who had been placed on an EU sanctions list in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
(Image: GETTY)
The American-born actor and martial artist received his Russian citizenship on November 3, 2016.
According to government spokesman Dmitry Peskov at the time: “He [Steven] was asking quite insistently and over a lengthy period to be granted citizenship.”
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been ongoing since 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea.
But everything came to a head earlier this year when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Prior to the invasion, Russian president Vladimir Putin, who sees Ukraine as historically part of Russia, announced that a ‘special military operation’ would take place.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
