Russian president Putin gifts Trump a personalised portrait

The gift was first mentioned by Witkoff in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson last week. As reported by AP, Witkoff described the portrait as ‘beautiful’ and said Trump ‘was clearly touched’ by the gesture.

Witkoff had met Putin after discussions with Russian officials about ending the war in Ukraine. Ceasefire negotiations continued on Monday in Saudi Arabia, where US representatives met their Russian counterparts, a day after holding talks with Ukrainian negotiators.

During his interview with Carlson, Witkoff also recalled Putin’s remarks about Trump surviving an assassination attempt during his campaign last year. “He was praying for his friend,” Witkoff said, quoting the Russian leader.

Putin has presented gifts to previous US presidents as well. In 2018, he gave then-President Trump a football, which the Secret Service examined for listening devices before Trump passed it to his son. The precaution echoed a Cold War-era incident when a carved Great Seal of the United States, gifted by Soviet schoolchildren in 1945, was later discovered to contain a hidden listening device.

It is unclear whether the portrait given to Trump has undergone similar security checks. The White House has not commented on the matter.

Putin’s history of gifting extends to other American leaders. As AP reports, he presented Joe Biden with a $12,000 lacquer writing box and pen in 2021 and sent Barack Obama porcelain plates and espresso cups in 2013. Additionally, in 2014, he reportedly gifted former President George H.W. Bush a portrait for his 90th birthday.