Hollywood actor-turned-Putin mouthpiece Steven Seagal has made the bizarre claim that Ukraine was known for ‘organ trafficking, child sex trafficking and Nazism’, as the Russian leader himself gave the sycophant the nation’s Order of Friendship.
In a ceremony at the Yekaterininsky Hall of the Kremlin in Moscow today, Seagal, 72, was presented the honour for his ‘big contribution to development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation’ in his role as an envoy to the US.
He claimed in his speech after Putin personally pinned the medal on his chest: ‘Before the special operation, Ukraine was known for human trafficking, organ trafficking, narcotrafficking, child sex trafficking, biochemical warfare labs, fascism, and Nazism.
‘We still try to make them our brothers. These poisons can affect the entire world, not just us.
‘Many people say we are facing an existential threat by all these conditions, but actually the whole world is at risk of becoming dangerously close to entering World War Three.
‘We are fighting the same monster trying to devour, conquer and control the world through lies, disinformation and manipulation.’
The Order of Friendship is officially given to Russian citizens for strengthening ties between countries.
It is understood to be the first official award Seagal has received since 2003, when he was named the Worst Actor at the Razzies, a parody award show that ‘honours’ bad films, for his role in Half Past Dead.
Seagal has been a citizen of Russia since 2016, when Vladimir Putin presented him with a Russian passport for vocally supporting Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
He was banned from entering Ukraine for five years the following year for this.
The pair first bonded over their shared love of martial arts. The 72-year-old hailed his friend as the ‘greatest world leader’ and claimed that the future in Russia would ‘be the best’ under the dictator’s rule.
He was last seen earlier this month at Putin’s fifth consecutive presidential inauguration at the gilded Grand Kremlin Palace, following an election that was dogged by allegations of systemic rigging.
In 2022, Seagal was pictured visiting a prison camp in Olenivka, Ukraine, a Russian-controlled jail that housed hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners, days after an explosion killed at least 50 people there.
Seagal can be seen standing inside the wrecked prison and sitting down on a bench examining some shrapnel. There is also a picture of Seagal talking to Ukrainian prisoners through metal bars.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
