Chechnya says it would welcome French actor Gerard Depardieu PARIS, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has invited Gerard Depardieu to move to the eastern European country now the actor confirms he is leaving France. Depardieu reportedly has bought a house in Belgium and plans to seek citizenship there because of France's steep taxes. Although the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault publicly called the move "pathetic," Kadyrov said he is "ready to welcome the great artist" to his republic, Radio France Internationale reported. Le Monde said Depardieu told friends Russian President Vladimir Putin had "already sent me a passport," but Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said the actor "most likely he was joking." Depardieu is best known for his work in the films "Green Card" and "The Man in the Iron Mask." He plays a supporting role in the current release "Life of Pi."