![BELARUS-US-CINEMA-POLITICS U.S. actor Steven Seagal holds two water melons during his meeting with the Belarus President at his residence on August 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/stephen-seagal-belarus-carrot-watermelon.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko welcomed Steven Seagal with a carrot and two watermelons on Thursday during the former action-star’s visit to the strongman’s Minsk residence.
“Eat to your health, it’s very good for you,” said Lukashenko, before Seagal heartily chomped into the freshly peeled carrot.
This is Seagal’s first visit to see Lukashenko, a person he has “long dreamed of meeting,” Belarusan presidential spokeswoman told the Washington Post.
Seagal, who has family links to Belarus and Russia, has visited leaders from former Soviet states in the past, including Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin— whom Seagal endorsed following Putin’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Lukashenko won his fifth term as President last October, having ruled the country since 1994.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com