Depardieu says he adores Russia, wants to learn Russian

Gerard Depardieu says he adores Russia and intends to learn the Russian language, Itar-Tass reported.

The famous actor said it in a letter, which French media outlets quote on Thursday after learning the news that Depardieu had obtained the Russian citizenship.

"Yes, I applied for the passport, and I am glad that my request was accepted," he wrote. According to Depardieu, he "adores Russia", its culture, history and the mode of thinking. The actor reminds the readers that his father "was a Communist in his time and listened to Radio of Moscow".

"I like to make films there in which I work with such actors as Vladimir Mashkov," he said. Besides, Russia "is not the state where the prime minister could call his country's national 'pathetic,'" Depardieu said hinting at words of the French prime minister that seriously hurt his feelings.

He also makes it clear in the letter that the idea of living in Russia does not frighten him. However, not in Moscow, which is "a too big megacity". "I prefer the countryside, and I know wonderful places in Russia," he noted. "I will learn the Russian language," he said.