Putin presented the Friendship Award to actor Steven Seagal

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday presented a state award to Steven Seagal, an American action actor who also holds Russian citizenship.

The awarding of the Order of Friendship is reported on the Internet portal of the Russian government. The Order honors people who, in Russia’s opinion, have contributed to the improvement of international relations.

Seagal was a vocal supporter of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and last year visited the Russian-held Ukrainian town of Olenivka, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war were reportedly killed in an attack that Russia and Ukraine blame each other for.

In 2018, Seagal was appointed Ambassador of the Russian Foreign Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs to the United States and Japan.