Film star Gerard Depardieu BANNED from Ukraine for claiming country is part of Russia

  22 July 2015    Read: 1458
Film star Gerard Depardieu BANNED from Ukraine for claiming country is part of Russia
FRENCH actor Gerard Depardieu has been banned from Ukraine
The star has been branded a "threat to national security" by Ukrainian officials, meaning he cannot visit the eastern European state.

The country`s media cannot even name him or publish images of him, and his films, including Life of Pi and Cyrano de Bergerac, will blocked from online streaming services.

Depardieu`s controversial comments came in a speech at a film festival in Riga, Latvia last year.

He said: "I love Russia and Ukraine, which is part of Russia."

He has also expressed his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who awarded him with Russian citizenship two years ago.

The 65-year-old has grown unpopular in his native France in recent years.

He came under attack in 2013 for leaving the country over plans for a new top tax rate of 75 per cent on earnings over £700,000.

In an open letter he praised Russia`s "culture" and "intelligence", saying he was "proud to be Russian".

He added: "France is sad and I think the French are fed up. They lack conviction.

"It seems that the government doesn`t know how to do its job."

Jean-Marc Ayrault, the then French Prime Minister, hit back, branding the Man in the Iron Mask actor "shabby and unpatriotic".

More about:  


News Line