Vladimir Putin granted him Russian citizenship. The Kremlin, when asked by Business FM, said that this was the desire of Steven Seagal himself. He is known for his warm feelings towards Russia, and Seagal is “a fairly well-known actor,” noted presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov. What will Russian citizenship give to a Hollywood actor?

Steven Seagal. Photo: Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

Steven Seagal will be able to receive a social pension of five thousand rubles in Russia. True, only if he gets Russian registration. He will also have to notify the authorities about his triple citizenship: he does not renounce US citizenship, and he recently received Serbian citizenship. Maybe he will at least benefit from paying taxes? It’s unlikely, says Paragon Advice Group partner Alexander Zakharov.

partner of Paragon Advice Group“Despite the fact that he received Russian citizenship, he remains a US citizen, to whom, in principle, he is subject to paying all taxes. Even if he lives outside the United States. Of course, from the point of view of the Russian component, he can, like Depardieu, take shape as an individual non-resident entrepreneur. That is, living less than 183 days a year in Russia. That is, he will pay 6%, simplified. If, accordingly, the turnover does not exceed a certain amount. And if we are talking about his American obligations, he, of course, will deduct from his tax obligations those that he pays in Russia, but for the rest, he will be obliged to pay the budget in the USA.”

In addition, upon arriving in Russia, Seagal will become a Russian currency resident. That is, he will have to report on his foreign accounts and the movement of funds through them. There are restrictions: for example, a currency resident cannot transfer funds from the sale of his foreign real estate directly to his foreign account. He may lose the entire transaction amount in the form of a fine for this. And most likely, the American actor doesn’t even know about it, says Eduard Savulyak, director of the Moscow office of Tax Consulting UK.

Director of the Moscow office of Tax Consulting UK“Now, of course, I would not undertake to assume that 100% we will have an intruder. Because, as far as I remember, he is already quite old and law-abiding. I don’t think he does a whole bunch of operations. At the same time, the fact that he probably does not know that he has acquired the status of a currency resident of the Russian Federation - here, I think, the probability in this case is high.”

Well, what does this give Russia? With all due respect to Seagal, stars whose best years are far behind them are asking for Russian citizenship. Konstantin Ustyantsev, editor of the martial arts department at Championship.com, says.

Konstantin UstyantsevEditor of the martial arts department at Championship.com“If, again, we compare Seagal with those people who have already received a passport. Let's say Roy Jones Jr., a world boxing legend. And, so, that circus, I’m not afraid of this word, that happened here in Moscow, when he went to fight against Enzo Maccarinelli, and you all know very well how it all ended - I would rather not give any passport to Roy Jones, and would calmly watch his fights 10 years ago, enjoy his health in his current state. Ditto Jeff Monson, the mixed martial arts fighter who, as of late, fits the description of a "coming from the fair" fighter. Which means a fighter who loses to everyone and everything. If you open his performance statistics on the Sherdog website, victories will alternate with defeats. And, like, you know, in the joke about the zebra? “The stripe is black, the stripe is white, and then ....” You know what."

One of the advantages for Seagal is that he will be able to come to Russia without a visa, and he comes here often. The 64-year-old actor said he was extremely happy to receive citizenship - he has many friends in Russia, and his father's family is from Vladivostok. And he said that the United States and Russia should be best friends, and he is constantly working to improve relations between Moscow and Washington.

Russian citizenship for American mixed martial arts fighter Jeff Monson. The athlete was not the first famous foreigner to receive a Russian passport; more details about them can be found in the RBC review.

Jeff Monson, mixed martial artist

On May 29, 2018, mixed martial arts fighter from the United States Jeff Monson announced that he was granted Russian citizenship. Previously, such a decree was issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Today I am very happy. Why? Because today I became Russian. Thank you very much to Russia!” the fighter said in his video message.

Shane Perkins, world cycling champion

On August 17, 2017, Vladimir Putin issued a decree granting Russian citizenship to Australian cyclist, two-time world champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Shane Perkins. According to the President of the Cycling Federation Vyacheslav Ekimov, from now on the 30-year-old athlete will compete for the Russian national team, but the initiative to become a Russian citizen belongs to Perkins himself.

An Australian talks about his desire to obtain Russian sports citizenship wrote back in February on his Facebook page. In August, Perkins made his debut as part of the Moscow team at the Russian Track Cycling Championships.

Zurab Tsereteli, sculptor

Soviet and Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, born in Georgia, received Russian citizenship in 2003 “for special services.” The corresponding decree was signed by Vladimir Putin. Tsereteli noted that he has lived in Moscow for a long time and “morally and physically” considers himself a citizen of Russia since 1964.

Ahn Hyun-soo (Victor Ahn), Olympic champion in short track speed skating

Photo: Valentin Egorshin / Interpress / TASS

The most decorated athlete in the history of world short track speed skating and former South Korean citizen Ahn Hyun-soo received Russian citizenship in 2011, shortly after he was unable to make the Korean team at the 2010 Games due to a serious injury. Along with citizenship, the athlete received a new name - Viktor An, under which he competes for the Russian national team. At the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, An won three gold medals and became the absolute record holder in short track speed skating.​

Gerard Depardieu, actor

In 2012, actor Gerard Depardieu renounced his French citizenship due to new President François Hollande's tax reform, raising the tax rate for the “super-rich” to 75%. In January next year, Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to the actor. In February 2013, Depardieu stamped his Russian passport for registration in the capital of Mordovia, Saransk.

The tax, which caused Depardieu to leave the country, was eventually found discriminatory by the Constitutional Court and abolished.

Roy Jones Jr., boxer

In September 2015, American boxer Roy Jones Jr. became a Russian citizen. Shortly before this, Vladimir Putin met with the athlete in Crimea to help him obtain Russian citizenship if Jones connected “a significant part of his life” with activities in Russia.

“I want to become an active citizen of Russia, I love Russian society as much as it loves me. Obtaining Russian citizenship will help me in reducing the gap between the two countries,” Jones said in his decision.

Anatoly Wasserman, publicist

By decree of Putin in January 2016, Russian citizenship was granted to publicist Anatoly Wasserman, born in 1952 in Ukraine.

In 2015, the Security Service of Ukraine opened a criminal case against Wasserman, who advocates the annexation of Ukraine to Russia. He was suspected of calling for actions aimed at changing the constitutional system, changing the boundaries of the territory, as well as the state border of Ukraine. He himself initiated the case “as an official recognition of his services to the peoples of Russia and Ukraine.”

Yuri Kuperman, artist

Photo: Irina Kuznetsova / Interpress / TASS

Soviet and American artist Yuri Kuperman received Russian citizenship together with Anatoly Wasserman in 2016. In 1972 he emigrated to Israel and lived in France and New York.

Steven Seagal, actor

American actor Steven Seagal received Russian citizenship in November 2016. According to presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the basis for granting citizenship was that Seagal is known for “his rather warm feelings towards our country” and is “a fairly well-known actor.”

Mario Fernandez, football player

In June 2016, Brazilian football player Mario Fernandez also received Russian citizenship. The corresponding decree was signed by Vladimir Putin.

According to the statutes of the International Football Federation (FIFA), in order to change football citizenship, an athlete who has played for the national team only in unofficial matches must live for five years in the country whose national team he wants to represent. Now the 26-year-old defender plays for CSKA Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin made another world celebrity a Russian - action star Steven Seagal, who has more than once expressed warm feelings for our country. He is not the first public person to receive Russian citizenship, and he will not be the last, politicians are sure. Lenta.ru looked into what the newly minted Russians can give to their new homeland and who can join them.

Newcomer

Steven Seagal long and persistently asked to be granted Russian citizenship, the Kremlin said. How he justified this is unknown, but the actor never hid his warm feelings for Russia, press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov.

According to Seagal himself, he is connected with Russia by his family history - his father’s ancestors are from Vladivostok, and he also has many friends here. “I have deep respect and affection for Russia. Just like to your own country. “I have always believed that the United States and Russia should be best friends and allies,” the actor noted. He is constantly working to improve relations between Moscow and Washington.

In his new homeland, Seagal was immediately promised social guarantees, namely a pension of five thousand rubles with an additional payment up to the subsistence level.

Requesting a Russian passport, Seagal announced plans to launch vigorous creative activity in Russia. So, last year he spoke about his intention to create a production center in the country. Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin assisted him in implementing his business plans.

And if Russia can get Seagal’s production center, then Serbia, whose citizenship he received at the beginning of the year, has the whole Hollywood. “I want to move it to Serbia. I want to gather the entire cinematic community here,” the actor shared his plans, praising the Serbian diversity of landscapes.

But even before that, he seriously thought about how to help the Russian Sakhalin, and prepared a project for the development of sports in Korsakov, as well as for the improvement of the city itself. Now Seagal is expected not only in Sakhalin, but also in Crimea. Along the way, he was invited to join the Rodina party.

Another world celebrity holder of a Russian passport, actor Gerard Depardieu, is already implementing projects in Russia. At the end of August, for example, he opened the renovated Rossiya cinema and cultural center in Saransk, which bears his name. The actor even promised to vote in the State Duma elections held on September 18 (it is unknown whether he kept his word).

The action of Steven Seagal and others will encourage them to follow his example, member of the lower house of parliament Jan Zelinsky is sure. If Western countries do not change their policies, then there will be more and more celebrities who want to become Russians. “Many actors have thoughts about Russian citizenship,” the parliamentarian is sure. There are already many applicants.

Movie invasion

On National Unity Day, November 4, the Russian President awarded the Order of Friendship to Serbian director Emir Kusturica. He noted that Vladimir Putin brought balance to world politics and admitted his desire to make a Russian film. There was no talk about citizenship, but there is no doubt about the director’s favor towards Russia.

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has repeatedly admitted his love for Russian cinema, “Russian character” and history - according to him, he is a quarter Russian. And last year, French actor Sami Naceri, known for the Taxi film franchise, announced his desire to obtain a Russian passport.

Actress Brigitte Bardot answered the question about potential Russian citizenship evasively - she said that she is French, but no longer recognizes France, and her heart and nature strive for Russia. Robert De Niro also allowed this option, but with the caveat that “this is a complex situation” and the result “cannot yet be predicted.”

Tangible benefits are expected from new citizens of the country and applicants for citizenship. Celebrities with a Russian passport should understand responsibility for their decisions; they must “pay their debt to our state,” says Yan Zelinsky, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs. “If this is an actor, then he should act in Russian films,” says the parliamentarian.

For example, Depardieu managed to star in several domestically produced films. In 2013, he played the main role in the film “Rasputin”, the Russian-French film “Victor”, as well as the film “The Father” filmed in Chechnya. He also invited his friend, the Frenchman Pierre Richard, to film in the Russian outback, who, by the way, has repeatedly confessed his love for Russians.

Citizens with notes

There are fewer new citizens in music. Among them are the Greek conductor Theodor Currentzis and his Italian colleague Fabio Mastrangelo, who has been working in Russia for 15 years.

In 2015, the vocalist of the American rock band Limp Bizkit, Fred Durst, responded to the call of the head of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov, to world celebrities, expressing his desire to come to the peninsula. He promised not only to “buy a nice house,” but also to film films and TV series in Crimea, write music, and also attract more Americans here. The rocker admitted that he wants to become “part of the great future of Crimea and Russia.”

Already an accomplished citizen of the Russian Federation, world-famous boxer Roy Jones, who received a passport in October last year, also took up music.

Activists wearing gloves

When the famous boxer met with the Russian leader in Sevastopol and asked him for citizenship, Vladimir Putin agreed to help him on the condition that he connect his future with activities in Russia. Jones has already presented the project of his boxing school in Russia, and also spoke about plans to open sections in Sevastopol and Kuban Belorechensk.

The situation with the Russian citizenship of mixed martial arts fighter Jeff Monson, a US and LPR citizen, is still unclear: the athlete himself claimed that the issue had been resolved positively, but there has been no official confirmation of this yet. That, however, does not prevent him from going to fights under the tricolor and conducting active social activities in his potential new homeland.

Among other things, he is ready to join the Russian army in the event of a military conflict. “Now Russia is my home. I’m ready to defend him,” says the athlete.

In early November, he amazed everyone with his knowledge of the work of Viktor Tsoi. A video has spread online where a citizen of the LPR is driving a minibus and singing along to the song “Changes”, words from the chorus out the window.

The head of the Union of Volunteers of Russia (SDR), Yana Lantratova, involved Roy Johnson together with Seagal in the anti-alcohol campaign. Meanwhile, a position is being prepared for Depardieu as head of the Crimean Committee for Viticulture and Winemaking.

History knows many examples of how successful people from foreign countries expressed a desire to become citizens of Russia or the USSR. In recent years, many famous foreigners have become holders of Russian passports, including Gerard Depardieu, Roy Jones, Steven Seagal and others. Next, we suggest recalling the most famous personalities who at different times became citizens of our country.

Steven Seagal. In October of this year, Seagal, having arrived in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, told reporters that he really liked it in Russia and could receive Russian citizenship in the future.

Soon, a decree on this signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin was published on the Kremlin website.

The actor has repeatedly admitted his warm feelings for Russia and loves to talk about his Russian roots, especially about his grandmother from Vladivostok.

Seagal is also very proud of meeting Russian leader Vladimir Putin: “I consider him my friend and would like to consider him my brother,” he said in an interview.

Gerard Depardieu. In 2012, one of the most famous French actors declared his desire to move to Russia: “I adore your country, Russia, your people, your history, your writers... I adore your culture, your way of thinking.”

As the media suggested, Depardieu’s change of citizenship was also prompted by the government’s plans to impose a 75% tax on the rich. In response to such accusations, the actor stated that he is a true European and a citizen of the world.

Putin personally handed him a Russian passport with a double-headed eagle in Sochi in January 2013.

The actor expressed his desire to develop business in Russia and even registered as an individual entrepreneur. Since then, he periodically comes to Russia; his last visit was tasting Crimean wines in Moscow.

Jeff Monson. The MMA fighter and master of Brazilian jiu-jitsu became our compatriot at the end of 2015, and he waited a long time to receive a passport with a double-headed eagle.

Monson said that he was captivated by snow-covered Moscow, that he admires the Russian spirit and history, so he proudly goes to fights with the Russian flag, to the songs “Lube”, and also decorated himself with a tattoo with the sculpture “The Motherland Calls” and bearded Marxist-Leninists .

Jeff also became a citizen of the LPR and an honorary citizen of Abkhazia, supports the residents of Donbass and criticizes the United States.

Roy Jones Jr. The American boxer, world champion in four weight categories, silver medalist at the 1988 Olympics, earned the image of one of the most charismatic boxing stars and managed to become famous as a rap artist.

He liked our country for a long time, but Jones made the final decision to apply for citizenship after a visit to Crimea, where, among other things, he met with Putin.

Now Jones has dual citizenship, but, according to him, he considers himself Russian, says: “Crimea is ours,” and is also planning to open a gym in Moscow. He also likes the Russian president: “He’s a good, great guy.”

Fabio Mastrangelo. The famous pianist and conductor went on tour in St. Petersburg in the 2000s, after which he decided to stay.

He himself explained his decision by saying that “Russia has the most beautiful girls,” and in general his love for our country is “inexplicable.” Now the maestro directs the St. Petersburg State Music Hall Theater.

Teodor Currentzis. The outstanding Greek conductor has been living and working in Russia since the early 1990s.

Currently, Currentzis is the artistic director of the Perm Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. P.I. Tchaikovsky, artistic director of the International Diaghilev Festival.

Viktor An. Russia has adopted the practice of naturalizing athletes from abroad who want to compete for Russian teams. This is how the Korean speed skater became.

Ahn Hyun-soo took three golds and a bronze for his native South Korea at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. For several years he was considered one of the most successful athletes in the country, and then suffered a knee injury...

The local federation immediately turned its back on him. But Russian specialists were not so reckless. An changed his name and repeated his triumph in Sochi - he won three gold medals and one bronze.

Vic Wild. The Washington state-born snowboarder went to Russia, firstly because he married a Russian woman, and secondly, because American sports officials deprived his sport of attention and finances.

As a result, the athlete won two gold medals in Sochi and received the Order of Merit for the Fatherland from the hands of Vladimir Putin.

Anatoly Wasserman. Yes, yes, the famous political consultant, publicist and journalist received Russian citizenship only on January 27, 2016, and before that he was a citizen of Ukraine.

In 1994, he even participated in the elections to the Verkhovna Rada, but did not pass.

Ezio Gambe. On January 8, 2016, an Italian judoka, head coach of the Russian judo team, received a passport as a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The 1980 Olympic champion and 1984 Olympic silver medalist received the position of head coach of the Russian men's judo team in 2008.

Robert John Holden. The American basketball player received Russian citizenship in October 2003. From 2002 to 2011 he played for the CSKA basketball club.

As part of the army team, he won the Russian Championship nine times, the Euroleague twice, and the VTB United League once.

Velko Kadievich. In 2008, Dmitry Medvedev granted citizenship to the former Minister of Defense of Yugoslavia. It was he who gave orders for operations in Dubrovnik and Vukovar during the Croatian Civil War.

He was granted citizenship almost immediately after being put on the wanted list by Interpol.

Edita Piekha. The pop singer of Polish origin also decided to settle in the Soviet Union.

She was born in France, after which she moved to Poland with her parents. Having taken part in a music competition in Gdansk in 1955, Piekha was sent to study in Leningrad.

Only 12 years later, she received a Soviet passport.

Roberto Bartini. The physicist, aircraft designer, creator of the theory of the six-dimensional world received Soviet citizenship in 1921.

The adopted son of an Italian millionaire, a member of the Communist Party, to which he transferred a $10 million inheritance, fled from fascist Italy to the USSR, where from 1928 he headed a seaplane design group.

Lloyd Patterson. The actor and artist became a Soviet citizen in 1932, when he came to our country as part of the black troupe of James Hughes, who dreamed of creating his own theater in the USSR.

He worked as a translator, radio announcer, and later, together with his wife, a Ukrainian artist, at the Moscow film studio. He died in Moscow in 1942 during an air raid.

It was he who was the father of Jim, who at the age of two played the role of a black boy in the film “The Circus”.

Wolf Messing. The illusionist, psychologist and clairvoyant received Soviet citizenship in 1939.

In 1937, Messing publicly predicted the death of Hitler, who placed a prize of 200,000 marks on his head. Two years later, after the Nazi invasion of Poland, he fled from Warsaw in a cart filled with hay, and then across the Bug to the USSR.

In our country, he performed “mind reading” in propaganda teams, in the circus, and then with personal programs at the State Concert.

Ramon Mercader. The Soviet intelligence agent, Trotsky's killer, served all 20 years in a Mexican prison, after which he was transported to Cuba, and then illegally to the USSR.

He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, as he was promised. He worked at the Institute of Marxism-Leninism under the CPSU Central Committee, received a four-room apartment and a dacha.

Zurab Tsereteli. President of the Russian Academy of Arts (since 1997), founder and director of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, author of the infamous monument to Peter I, one of the leaders of the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior remained a citizen of Georgia after the collapse of the USSR.

For special services to the Russian Federation in 2003, Tsereteli received Russian citizenship.

“People's News” remembered famous foreigners who have received or are preparing to receive Russian citizenship.

American heavyweight boxer Roy Jones Jr asked President Vladimir Putin for Russian citizenship. Having met with the head of Russia in Sevastopol, where the athlete came to participate in the boxing show “Fight at Mount Gosforth,” Roy Jones admitted that he dreams of a Russian passport. According to him, he will be able to spend more time in Russia and connect his activities with our country. “People here love sports, and that's why I love this place,” Jones said. Putin promised Jones assistance in obtaining Russian citizenship. “People's News” remembered famous foreigners who have received or are preparing to receive Russian citizenship. Mostly foreign athletes dream of Russian citizenship. So, American mixed martial arts fighter Jeff Monson This summer he received Russian citizenship and joined the LDPR party. Monson is going to develop children's sports throughout Russia, and has already managed to open his own mixed-style wrestling section in Moscow. Monson's colleague, Ukrainian MMA fighter Alexey Oleynik I also received a Russian passport this year. To prove his loyalty to Russia, Oleinik has made numerous public appearances in football with a portrait of President Putin.
South Korean athlete Ahn Hyun-soo received Russian citizenship and became Victor An in order to get into the Russian short track speed skating team. It was on our team that Victor became a three-time Olympic champion, winning three gold and one bronze medal in Sochi. Viktor An has repeatedly spoken about his love for our country
Perhaps the most famous foreigner who received Russian citizenship is the French actor Gerard Depardieu. In 2013, the actor received a domestic passport, declaring that he was “ready to die for Russia.” 66-year-old Depardieu has repeatedly said that he is proud to be Russian, and even released a watch with such a phrase.
A former employee of the American CIA and the US National Security Agency in 2013 opened the world's eyes to the total surveillance of the citizens of many countries by American intelligence services through social networks. US authorities accused Snowden of espionage and theft of government property, and he was put on the international wanted list. The Russian government granted the ex-CIA officer temporary asylum, and a year later a three-year residence permit. Snowden has a job and also receives help from private individuals. After five years, he will be able to apply for Russian citizenship in the general manner. According to Snowden, he understood that he would have to suffer for his actions, he wanted to show the world the secret laws, unequal impunity and overwhelming executive power that rules the world. “I have already won. All I wanted was to show the public how it is managed,” Snowden said in one of his few interviews, noting that he was working for the recovery, and not for the collapse of the NSA.