President Putin, while presenting Seagal a Russian passport in 2016, said that he hoped the gesture would serve as a symbol of how fractious ties between Moscow and Washington were starting to improve.
Russian Foreign Ministry wrote on Facebook earlier that "Steven Seagal was appointed as the Russian foreign ministry's special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties".
On Saturday, Russian officials tapped him for another role: special representative to improve relations between the United States and Russia.
The foreign ministry said the unpaid role will be similar to the United Nations' goodwill ambassador positions.
His responsibility will be to "facilitate relations between Russian Federation and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges".
Seagal supported President TrumpDonald John TrumpPastor at Trump rally prays to shield Trump from "jungle journalism" Bill Russell: Being criticized by Trump is the "biggest compliment you can get" Salmon farmers in California fear Trump will destroy their industry MORE's candidacy and election.
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Mnangagwa had promised a free and fair vote after the military ushered him to power when Mugabe was forced to resign. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said it would start announcing results for the presidential race from 10.30 GMT.
Back in 2016, Steven Seagal was awarded Russian citizenship, likely because he was making so many trips to visit his friend Vladimir Putin.
Seagal, who occasionally appears on Russian state television, said he welcomed the appointment, Reuters reported.
It's not the first time Russian Federation has tried to give Seagal some sort of semi-official status. "I take this honour very seriously", he added.
Seagal's grandmother was born in Vladivostok, Russia, and the two men share a passion for martial arts.
The Independent says that Seagal has "faced some criticism for some comments he has made about the controversial Russian leader", including describing Putin as "one of the greatest world leaders" during a 2013 interview.
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