Depardieu gave an interview to Belgian TV wearing a vest with a double-headed eagle

French actor Gerard Depardieu gave an exclusive interview to regional Walloon television in the Belgian village of Nechin, where he purchased a house. As RTBF reports , the actor appeared in front of television cameras wearing a vest with a double-headed Russian eagle. Depardieu confirmed that he left France because of President Francois Hollande and his tax policies. At the same time, Depardieu noted that he remains French and loves France, despite the fact that his fellow countrymen “are in a delicate situation.”

During the interview, Depardieu spoke positively about Russia and Chechnya. He also spoke warmly of the friends he made in Neshen - the local mayor, the butcher and the "nice guys from the bistro".

In December 2012, Gerard Depardieu renounced his French citizenship - he published an open letter in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper. "I'm not asking for approval for my action, but at least respect it! No one who left the country was insulted as much as I was," he wrote . After this, the actor moved to live in Belgium .

By decree of January 3, 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to the French actor, and on January 6 he personally handed over the passport during a visit to Sochi. After acquiring a new document, Depardieu went to the capital of Mordovia, Saransk, where he was presented with the keys to a new apartment and Saransk registration . After some time, Depardieu became the owner of a multi-room apartment in Chechnya. The head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, presented it to the actor.