French film star Gerard Depardieu was greeted by President Vladimir Putin and a new Russian passport yesterday after abandoning his homeland to avoid a new tax rate.
Mr Putin signed a decree on Thursday granting Russian citizenship to Depardieu, who has fumed over President Francois Hollande's plan to impose a 75% tax rate.
The men shook hands and hugged in the Black Sea resort of Sochi during what the Kremlin said was a private visit.
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