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The actor Steven Seagal is now Russian Special Envoy to the United States. He has been tasked with fostering better relations between the US and Russia.

Newsnight had arranged an interview with Mr Seagal and we made clear during protracted negotiations with his representative that we hoped to discuss his role with the Russian state.

The actor has also found himself swept up by the metoo movement - having been accused earlier this year of sexual harassment and rape.

A potential prosecution against Mr Seagal for rape was dropped this month. He denies all the allegations.

Kirsty Wark asked Mr Seagal about all of this - and his new movie Attrition - when she spoke to him from Moscow. The interview didn't go very well. This edited version starts when Kirsty asked him about his work for Mr Putin.

(Image: Vladimir Putin and Steven Seagal, credit: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½)