Russian President Vladimir Putin Hands American Actor Steven Seagal Russian Passport Friday Nov 25,2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday Nov 25,2016 personally handed a new Russian passport to US action star Steven Seagal and said he hoped the gesture showed a "normalisation" of strained relations with Washington.

Sitting at a round table in the Kremlin at a televised meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin showed the Hollywood actor where to sign the passport.

They then rose and shook hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying briefly: "I congratulate you," and Mr Seagal answering in Russian: "Spasibo bolshoye," or thank you very much.

The Kremlin released a transcript of their chat, with Mr Putin saying that they had been discussing citizenship for "quite a while" and agreed it must be an "absolutely depoliticised act."

Mr Putin said he hoped that adding Mr Seagal to the list of celebrities who have gained Russian citizenship in recent years could be seen as "a sign of gradual normalisation of the relations between our countries."

Mr Seagal called the passport a "great honour," while Mr Putin responded by telling him he hoped "our personal relationship will remain and continue."

Mr Seagal is the latest in a string of high-profile Westerners to be granted Russian citizenship after buddying up with Mr Putin.

Veteran French actor Gerard Depardieu was given a Russian passport in 2013 after the star became a tax exile in ire over rate hikes in his native country.

Mr Putin has also handed out citizenship to US boxer Roy Jones Junior after sipping tea with him in Crimea and to American mixed martial artist Jeff Monson