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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Gerard Depardieu meets Putin, receives Russian passport
2013-01-06
French actor Gerard Depardieu has met President Vladimir Putin and has been handed his new Russian passport.

The actor had announced he was seeking Russian citizenship after the French government criticised his decision to move abroad to avoid higher taxes.

Mr Depardieu met Mr Putin in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Mr Depardieu was then given his new passport, although the president's spokesman said Mr Putin did not hand it over personally.

Mr Depardieu and Mr Putin shook hands and hugged each other at the meeting in Sochi.

Earlier this week, Mr Putin signed the decree granting Russian citizenship to Mr Depardieu.

The actor responded by writing an open letter saying: "I love your country, Russia - its people, its history, its writers. I love your culture, your intelligence."

Mr Depardieu went on to describe Russia as "a great democracy, and not a country where the prime minister calls one of its citizens shabby".
Posted by:tipper

#2  Can't blame Putin though. I'm sure he'd love it if Western European businessmen decided the Russian climate wasn't so bad after all. Kinda like the wild, wild east with low taxes, laissez faire and opportunity. Could be a shot in the arm for Russians if they don't blow it with bad attitudes and bad borscht.
Posted by: Abu Uluque   2013-01-06 19:05  

#1  He surely must have lost his mind. Berne SZ would have welcomed him with open arms. Must have been the dope or Russian brides.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-06 11:40  

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