Liam Neeson sends hilarious message to President Vladimir Putin

If one man can prevent international conflict, it’s Liam Neeson.

The gruff-voiced hard man appeared in a hilarious skit on US TV’s ‘Saturday Night Live’, sending a “personal message” to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the current Ukraine crisis.

Standing side-by-side with President Obama (played by Jay Pharoah), Neeson displayed his best negotiation skills as he talked tough on Crimea.

[Liam Neeson: I have no regrets over not playing James Bond]

“Mr Putin. Vladimir… I’ve never met you. I don’t have experience in international diplomacy,” growled the leather-jacketed 61-year-old.

“But what I do have is a very particular set of skills. Skills that would make me a nightmare for someone like you,” he added, parodying his infamous ‘Taken’ catchphrase. “By which I mean I’m an actor. In Hollywood… with a lot of connections.”

“So, I advised the President on a little video. Vladimir, watch closely….”

Cue a brilliant spoof clip, apparently coordinated by Neeson, in “a language that [Putin] could understand”…

The short (but very manly) montage parodies the Russian leader’s notoriously macho persona – featuring Obama hammering rocks, fist fighting with a bear, practicing Judo, and of course riding shirtless on a horse, inspired by President Putin’s infamous publicity shots.

We hope Liam’s message manages to sort out the “taking” of Crimea, because like he says “I hate it when things are taken.”

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You can see more of Neeson talking tough in action/thriller ‘Non-Stop’, co-starring Julianne Moore, out now in UK cinemas. Watch our interview with the pair, below.