MOSCOW, November 3. /TASS/. US actor Steven Seagal who was granted Russian citizenship on Thursday by President Vladimir Putin, said he was "tremendously grateful for this opportunity," a statement provided to TASS by his agent reads.

"I always felt that USA and Russia should be best friends and allies. Despite the unfortunate propaganda going on I remain fully committed to work tirelessly towards this end and I am tremendously grateful for this opportunity," Seagal noted.

"My father was pure Russian, my father’s family is primarily from Vladivostok. However, I have family from Siberia, Saint Petersburg and even Belarus. I have a tremendous amount of friends and family in Russia and former Soviet regions. I have huge respect and affection for Russia. As well as my own country," Seagal’s statement said.

As reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to Steven Seagal.

This past September while attending the Edge of the World International Film Festival on Russia’s Far Eastern island of Sakhalin, the 64-year-old actor told reporters he didn’t rule out obtaining Russian citizenship. "I think Russian citizenship is somewhere on the horizon. I would love to spend a few months a year with my friends in Russia, with people who love me and await me here," said Seagal.

Steven Seagal was born in 1952 in Michigan, USA. He has so far starred in more than 120 movies most of which are martial arts action films. He has worked with the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Caine, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Trejo and other Hollywood stars.