Belarusian leader treats action hero Seagal to local melons

MINSK, BELARUS >> Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has treated American action hero Steven Seagal to a harvest of carrots and watermelons at his country residence.

Seagal, 64, is not new to Eastern Europe. He often visits Russia to socialize with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lukashenko on Wednesday hosted Segal at his residence north of Minsk, the capital, and treated him in front of television cameras to traditional Belarusian food like lard. The footage from the visit showed Lukashenko peel a carrot and hand it to Seagal to try.

Presidential spokeswoman Natalya Eismont said that Seagal “had long wanted to meet Lukashenko.”

During last year’s harvest, Lukashenko, who has been described as Europe’s last dictator, hosted French actor Gerard Depardieu and gave him a lesson in hand scything.

Seagal has a consultancy contract with a Belarusian online game developer.

ANDREI STASEVICH — POOL PHOTO VIA AP In this photo taken Wednesday Hollywood actor and producer Steven Seagal holds two watermelons in the Belarus’ presidential residence of Drozdy, outside Minsk, Belarus. Belarus’ farm-loving President Alexander Lukashenko has treated American action...