Russian President Vladimir Putin showed a surprising act of friendship toward Donald Trump after the former U.S. president survived an assassination attempt last year.
According to Steve Witkoff, Trump’s former chief negotiator, Putin visited a local church to pray for Trump’s recovery and later gifted him a custom portrait.
A Thoughtful Gift from Putin
During an interview with ex-Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Witkoff revealed that Putin had commissioned a detailed portrait of Trump from a renowned Russian artist.
The Russian leader personally asked Witkoff to deliver the artwork to Trump as a gesture of goodwill.
“It was such a gracious moment,” Witkoff recalled.
“He shared how he visited his priest and prayed for Trump, not just as the President of the United States, but as a friend.”
The Rally Incident and Aftermath
The gesture followed a troubling event in July when Trump, then the Republican presidential candidate, narrowly escaped serious injury during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Gunman Thomas Matthew Cooks fired multiple rifle shots, one of which grazed Trump’s ear.
Despite suspicions surrounding the close relationship between Trump and Putin, Witkoff’s comments painted a picture of genuine concern and camaraderie.
Steps Toward Peace Talks
Meanwhile, Putin and Trump recently discussed steps toward resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Both leaders agreed to initiate a 30-day “energy and infrastructure ceasefire” as a preliminary move.
The White House reported that technical talks would also focus on implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
While Putin has set conditions for a full peace deal, discussions are expected to progress immediately in the Middle East.
Disputed Territories and Political Challenges
Witkoff also addressed the complex issue of Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine — Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia.
He claimed these regions are primarily Russian-speaking and suggested that local referendums showed strong support for Russian control.
However, these votes were widely condemned by Western nations as being conducted under duress following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Witkoff acknowledged the challenge Ukraine faces, noting that any decision to cede territory would pose serious political risks for President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Escalating Conflict in Ukraine
Despite diplomatic efforts, violence in Ukraine persists.
Russian drone attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia claimed three lives and injured 12 others.
Local official Ivan Fedorov reported that the assault damaged residential buildings, private vehicles, and public infrastructure.
Ukraine’s air force confirmed that Russia launched 179 drones and decoys in the latest attack, with 100 intercepted and another 63 believed to have been electronically jammed.
Fires broke out in Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk due to falling debris from intercepted drones.
What Lies Ahead?
While Trump has engaged in talks with both Ukrainian and Russian leaders about a potential ceasefire, the details of which targets would be spared from future attacks remain unclear.
President Zelensky expressed openness to the proposed 30-day ceasefire, emphasizing that Ukraine supports any move toward unconditional peace.
The evolving situation leaves the world watching closely to see how diplomatic efforts unfold in the weeks ahead.