Support The Moscow Times!

Lukashenko Gives Steven Seagal the Carrot Treatment During Belarus Visit

Andrei Stasevich / TASS

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko flaunted his country's agricultural output during a recent visit from American actor Steven Seagal.

The film-star was taking a tour of Lukashenko's country residence on Wednesday when the Belarussian leader, known for his heavy-handed approach to human rights, gave him a fresh carrot and said: “Eat it, it's healthy.” Seagal dutifully obliged, according to footage broadcast by Belarussian media.

He was later handed a watermelon by Lukashenko's son, Nikolai, but was not required to eat it on the spot.

Seagal received a warm welcome to Belarus, with Lukashenko greeting him on arrival with a hug and the words: “Hello, dear friend.” During the visit, Seagal told Lukashenko he had Belarussian ancestry.

The Hollywood star was in Belarus to do business with a local online game developer, Rossiya 24 reported.

Seagal is no stranger to meetings with controversial leaders. The action-star is among the Western celebrities who have come out in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the actor's blues band playing a concert for pro-Russian separatists in Crimean capital Sevastopol following the peninsula's 2014 annexation. 

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more