Actor Steven Seagal told Russian newspapers this week that he is in full support of President Vladimir Putin’s agenda of securing national interests in Crimea.
The Moscow Times reports that Seagal told the state-run news outlet Rossiskaya Gazeta that he finds the United States policy on Ukraine “idiotic,” and he blames the media for its biased reporting regarding President Barack Obama's agenda.
"(Putin's) desire to protect the Russian-speaking people of Crimea, his assets, and the Russian Black Sea military base in Sevastopol … is very reasonable," the 61-year-old actor said.
According to CBS News, the growing friendship between Seagal and Putin possibly sprung from a mutual love of martial arts. The Russian president even asked Seagal, who has considered running for governor of Arizona, for help promoting a revamped fitness program from the Soviet Union era called “Ready for Labor and Defense.”
Seagal went as far to call Putin “one of the greatest world leaders,” saying, "He cares more about Russia than anybody I know. And he's not afraid to get up and do what needs to be done."
Seagal is best known for his roles in action films like Under Siege and Fire Down Below.