Hollywood actor Seagal joins pro-Kremlin party

Hollywood actor Steven Seagal is taking on a new role joining a pro-Kremlin party in Moscow.

The U.S.-born martial artist has long been a fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While Putin, who granted him Russian citizenship in 2016, is a fan of martial arts.

Seagal received a party membership card of an alliance named Just Russia - Patriots - For Truth.

It was formed earlier this year, when three leftist parties, all of which support Putin, merged into one.

In a video released by the party, Seagal proposed a crackdown on businesses that damage the environment.

"We really need to set up a situation where we can investigate, arrest, prosecute people criminally so that there is a result. Without being able to arrest people, when we just fine them, they are probably making more money out of the production of the things that are defiling the environment, then they will be fined so it's only good business for them to continue."

The party controls a faction in the lower house of the Russian parliament and plans to take part in a parliamentary election in September.