Gerard Depardieu granted Russian citizenship

Actor Gerard Depardieu is saying adieu to France and hello to Russia now that Vladimir Putin has granted his request for Russian citizenship. The actor has made headlines lately by publicly renouncing his French citizenship to protest the high tax rates in his home country.

The Kremlin announced its decision today via its website saying that the president had signed an executive order that would give the embattled actor residency privileges. No word yet from the actor or his reps as to whether he will be taking the Kremlin up on the offer but according to published reports Russia was one of his choices along with Belgium and Montenegro.

Last month Depardieu made headlines after getting into a verbal battle with French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. Depardieu sent an open letter to the Prime Minister protesting the 85% tax rate that he is paying on his assets in France.