Today Russian President has signed a decree to grant famous French actor Gerard Depardieu Russian citizenship, Kremlin's press service reports.

      Depardieu has recently renounced his French citizenship over the “insulting” accusations of tax evasion he faced after announcing plans to move to Belgium. He stayed in Belgium even after a French court struck down the proposed 75 percent income tax rate for the country's wealthiest.

      Russia was one of the countries Depardieu regarded as a new place for his residence. In late December Russian President said that Depardieu could count on getting a Russian passport if he wanted one.

      “In accordance with clause “a” of article 89 of the Russian Constitution, the application for Russian citizenship by Gerard Xavier Depardieu born in France in 1948 has been granted,” the Kremlin press service.

      However, the actor himself has not comment on the news yet, and Russia’s Federal Migration Service says it has received no application from Depardieu so far.