Russian citizen Steven Seagal reveals his Siberian roots 

The star told how he hopes to visit Lake Baikal 'a lot' because his paternal roots are from here - in the Buddhist republic of Buryatia. But he also has Yakut blood, he said.

'My father comes from Vladivostok,' he told the audience on Andrey Malakhov's talk show Pust Govoryat. We have family from Siberia, we have family from Belarus, family from, apparently, St. Petersburg.

'So, we just recently got results of a DNA check and discovered that genetically there is Buryat mixed with Yakutian people.'

He added: 'I think the Lake Baikal is one of the most sacred and fantastic places on Earth. I look forward to being there a lot.'

Earlier this year, the 64 year old actor and environmental campaigner visited majestic Kronotsky Nature Reserve on the Kamchatka peninsula.

He appeared on the TV show with his Mongolian wife Batsukhyin Erdenetuya who said Michigen-born Seagal - who wants to get a Russian home - was different at home to his rambunctious movie image. 

'He's different at home, he's very sweet and tender inside. At least, he never ever tried to do anything he's showing in the films. And he's never trained on me,' she said. 

Putin personally handed Seagal his passport and said he hoped it would presage better relations between Moscow and Washington. 

'I would like to congratulate you, and I also hope that this small step will mark the beginning of the gradual improvement in our interstate relations,' said the president.