Action film star Steven Seagal, a known ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, spoke up Monday on his view of the invasion of Ukraine.
The 69-year-old martial artist, who has had a personal relationship with Putin for many years now, expressed his position in a conversation with Fox News Digital. Being of Russian descent himself, Seagal began by pointing out there is more similar to the embattled nations than there is different.
“Most of us have friends and family in Russia and Ukraine,” Seagal suggested. The actor has held duel citizenship with Russia and the United States and had his Russian passport personally delivered to him by Putin in 2016 in what the president hoped showed, “a sign of a gradual normalization of relations between the countries.”
The move was seen as a sign that relations between the two global powers were thawing. However, Seagal was banned from Ukraine in 2017 after the Ukrainian security service deemed his frequent visits with Putin to pose a national security threat, the Guardian reported.
Despite accusations that he has “committed socially dangerous actions…that contradict the interests of maintaining Ukraine’s security,” Seagal spoke positively of Ukraine and believes something larger is at play.
“I look at both as one family,” Seagal said of Russia and Ukraine, “and really believe it is an outside entity spending huge sums of money on propaganda to provoke the two countries to be at odds with each other.”
Though Seagal did not provide further details to back up his opinion that there were other parties involved in provoking tensions between the nations, his perspective on the underlying unity of the neighboring peoples is not unwarranted given his role in the international community.
Seagal was appointed as a special envoy by the Russian Foreign Ministry in 2018 to “facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges.”
Seagal’s call for unity is a position he has held throughout the years. He was especially outspoken during President Barack Obama’s administration and in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election where he criticized Obama and then Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Vehemently expressing his support of veterans, American values, and founding principles, Seagal pushed back on the divisive nature of Clinton’s campaign.
I stand with the AMERICAN people. I stand with my constitutional rights. I stand with VETERANS getting proper care. @derekewing14
— Steven Seagal (@sseagalofficial) September 12, 2016
People in this country need to unit and stop fighting each other. We have enough enemies, let's be kind to one another!
— Steven Seagal (@sseagalofficial) September 13, 2016
When we can all express our opinions, without hatred, we can have a dialog that leads to peace. #Meiyo @brandonslagle
— Steven Seagal (@sseagalofficial) September 13, 2016
Our Country Needs To Rekindle The Unity We Felt After Sept. 11, 2001 https://t.co/TbCzlfY1uU I couldn't agree more. pic.twitter.com/kjoL2CrYJG
— Steven Seagal (@sseagalofficial) September 13, 2016
Seagal also shared a post that reminded the public that Hillary Clinton was secretary of state in charge of the operation that led to the deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stephens, U.S. Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Sean Smith on Sept. 11, 2012.
#Bengahzi https://t.co/0iDJ4VUrc6
— Steven Seagal (@sseagalofficial) September 13, 2016
Seagal concluded his conversation with Fox News Digital by calling for peace for Ukraine and Russia, “My prayers are that both countries will come to a positive, peaceful resolution where we can live and thrive together.”
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Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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