Vladimir Putin grants Hollywood action star Steven Seagal Russian citizenship

President Vladimir Putin has granted US action movie star Steven Seagal Russian citizenship.

Under Siege star Seagal, 64, "has been insistent for a long time in asking to be granted Russian citizenship," Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 3 November.

"He is known for his warm feelings to our country. He never made a secret of it, and he's also a well-known actor, which gave grounds to make him a Russian citizen," Peskov added.

Former martial arts instructor Seagal has formed a friendship with Russia's hard man President, a Judo practitioner, despite the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the West and Russia.

In 2014 Seagal described Putin as "one of the greatest living world leaders" and defended the Russian annexation of Crimea.

Both are also admirers of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, with Putin describing Trump as "talented", and Seagal declaring his intention to vote for the reality TV star turned right wing populist.

He is one of several Western celebrities who have praised Putin and visited Russia, with others including French actor Gerard Depardieu and US boxer Roy Jones Jr.

Seagal was also granted Serbian citizenship in January after praising the country's populist leader.