Steven Seagal Backs Russia's Crimea Annexation, Considers Putin His 'Brother'

Action star Steven Seagal is officially endorsing Russia’s annexation of Crimea, calling Russian leader Vladimir Putin like a “brother” to him.

Seagal went further, dubbing U.S. foreign policy in the region “idiotic” and saying mainstream media outlets are promoting President Barack Obama’s agenda with its reportage.

The Above the Law star made the statements during an interview with a state-run Russian newspaper.

In the interview on the set of a movie he is shooting in Romania, Seagal said President Vladimir 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 actor called Putin “one of the great living world leaders,” and someone he considers like a brother. He also is open to the possibility of becoming a Russian citizen one day.

Seagal’s film career has waned in recent years, with the majority of his movies going directly to DVD. Five years ago he starred in the reality series Steven Seagal: Lawman. The series chronicled his time as a reserve deputy sheriff in Louisiana.