Russia grants Depardieu citizenship - FT.com In the old days, those who took an offer from the Kremlin of citizenship usually had a pretty compelling reason to do so. Whether they were hunted spies, exchanged prisoners, or ideological misfits, the likes of Kim Philby, Morris Cohen and Lee Harvey Oswald were among the west's most illustrious defectors, trading their passports for socialist workers" glory. Russia now inspires a new generation of westerners chiefly with its 13 per cent income tax rate, something that might look pretty good if you are a French actor suddenly facing a 75 per cent tax rate in your home country. Just how good remains to be seen. Gérard Depardieu was not commenting on Thursday following a decree by his friend Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, granting him Russian citizenship. Mr Putin had made a promise two weeks ago to look into the matter, after Mr Depardieu publicly threatened to give up his French passport. "If Gerard really wants to have a residency permit in Russia or a Russian passport, we can consider this issue resolved positively," Mr Putin told a press conference at the time. Mr Depardieu and Mr Putin have long been friends. The French actor is revered in Russia and has served on juries of the Moscow and Sochi film festivals a number of times. The French government responded tartly to Mr Putin's decree on Thursday, saying it was up to the Russian president to choose to whom he wanted to grant citizenship. "I have no further comment," said Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, the minister for women's rights and official government spokeswoman after the weekly cabinet meeting. Mr Depardieu has already registered as a resident of Belgium, according to press reports. The crucial attraction of Belgium for French tax exiles such as Mr Depardieu is that it levies no wealth tax or capital gains tax, both of which François Hollande's socialist government has raised sharply, as well as proposing the 75 per cent income tax margin on incomes of more than €1m a year. The actor has not suggested he will change his plan to take up residence in Belgium, but Mr Putin is not the only Russian leader with whom he has close ties. French media have shown a video of Mr Depardieu celebrating the birthday of Chechnya's ruler in Grozny, shouting to the crowd: "Glory to Chechnya, glory to Ramzan Kadyrov." Mr Kadyrov last month said he was "ready to welcome the great artist" to Chechnya and has also offered Mr Depardieu citizenship. A Chechen spokesman said on Thursday that Mr Kadyrov's invitation was still good. "We confirm: if Depardieu wants to live in the Chechen Republic, this will be received as joyful news," spokesman Alvi Karimov told Moscow Echo radio. "He will receive all the conditions required for a good life and creative work," he said.