Actor Steven Seagal joined a pro-Kremlin party in Moscow, according to an announcement the party made Saturday.
The Michigan-born Hollywood actor and martial artist received an alliance membership card from Just Russia – Patriots – For Truth, an alliance formed in 2021 by three leftist parties that support Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. (RELATED: Russia Warns America To Expect Various ‘Uncomfortable’ ‘Signals From Moscow’ Ahead Of Putin-Biden Meeting)
Steven Seagal (L) attends the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Russia in 2013. Photo by Kristina Nikishina. Getty.
His attendance and acceptance of the award was reported on by multiple publications, including Reuters.
Seagal then gave a speech in which he said businesses need to be monitored for harming the environment, Reuters reported.
“We really need to set up a situation where we can investigate, arrest, prosecute people criminally so that there is a result,” Seagal said in his welcome speech at the party’s event, according to Reuters. “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.”
The party controls a faction in the lower house of the Russian Parliament and will participate in the parliamentary election in September.
The Russian Foreign Ministry appointed Steven Seagal as a “Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage in a voluntary capacity,” according to a Russian Foreign Ministry’s post on Facebook. The role is supposed to build mutual understanding between Russians and Americans.