Steven Seagal Appointed by Russia as Special Envoy to the U.S.

August 6, 2018

The action-movie star Steven Seagal has played a former C.I.A. agent, a hit man and a killer of criminals. On Saturday, Russian officials tapped him for another role: special representative to improve relations between the United States and Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the appointment on Facebook, saying his mission will include promoting “relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges.”

The position is unpaid, said Russian officials, who compared the role to that of a United Nations good-will ambassador — a distinguished volunteer who calls attention to the work of the United Nations.

Relations between the two countries have been fraught as United States intelligence agencies have accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 elections and have warned it could do so again in the November contests. The countries have also been at odds over the Syrian civil war and the Russian annexation of Crimea.

In a tweet on Sunday, Mr. Seagal said that he was “deeply humbled and honoured” by the appointment. “I hope we can strive for peace, harmony and positive results in the world,” he said. “I take this honour very seriously.”

Mr. Seagal, who occasionally appears on Russian state television, said he welcomed the appointment, Reuters reported.

Read More: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/05/world/asia/steven-seagal-putin-russia.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur