Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted citizenship to Gerard Depardieu, the French actor who quit his homeland to avoid a tax increase on the rich.
The "Cyrano de Bergerac" actor moved across the border to Belgium last year to avoid the tax increase planned by Socialist President Francois Hollande.
President Putin said Mr Depardieu would be welcome to Russia.
"If Gerard really wants to have either a residency permit in Russia or a Russian passport, we will assume that this matter is settled and settled positively," Mr Putin said.
The Kremlin's website said that Mr Putin had signed a decree granting Depardieu citizenship.
The wording of the statement suggested the 63-year-old actor had applied for it.
An assistant to Depardieu declined to comment.
France's Constitutional Council last month blocked the planned 75% tax rate on income over €1m, but Mr Hollande plans to propose differently worded legislation which will "still ask more of those who have the most".
