PUTIN gifted a picture of Trump to the president, the Kremlin confirmed, after Don slammed a Brit artist’s work as “truly the worst”.
Zelensky claimed hours later that White House officials are under the influence of Russia, because Trump apparently regurgitated Kremlin propaganda.
On Monday, the Kremlin verified that Putin had tasked an artist with creating a portrait of Trump as a gift for the president. This confirmation came after reports by Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff, the special envoy from the US, mentioned the gift during an interview with Tucker Carlson on Saturday, expressing admiration for the “beautiful portrait” crafted by a prominent Russian artist.
Laying it on thick, Witkoff said Trump was “clearly touched” by the gesture from Putin – who he said was “super smart” and not “a bad guy”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Putin had presented Trump with a “personal gift,” which was delivered to Witkoff in Moscow at the beginning of this month.
He added that only Putin himself would disclose further details about the artwork.
The new portrait has not been seen publicly, but it was verified on the same day that Trump blasted another portrait hanging in the Colorado State Capitol building.
The president unleashed a scathing rant about the painting, and even claimed it was “purposefully distorted”.
He noted that Barack Obama’s, on the other hand, looked “wonderful”.
That painting has reportedly been chalked for swift removal after Trump’s damning review.
Following the news of the two paintings, Zelensky said in his nightly address that White House officials had been influenced by Russia.
He claimed that Trump had been parroting Kremlin propaganda.
About Russia’s claim that thousands of Ukrainian troops had been encircled in Kursk – repeated by Trump – Zelensky said: “That was a lie.”
He added: “I believe Russia has managed to influence some people on the White House team through information.
“Their signal to the Americans was that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war, and something should be done to force them.”
The piece was officially recognised as American and Russian negotiators returned to the table in Saudi Arabia.
It’s signal of thawed tensions – and a degree of personal warmth – between the two leaders.
In the Tucker Carlson interview, Witkoff said the Russian leader had been “gracious” when they met in Moscow – in stark contrast to the fallout from the White House receiving Zelensky.
Putin reportedly said he had prayed for Trump after last summer’s assassination attempt.
Trump is yet to make any public comment on the goodwill gesture from the Kremlin.
But it would be hard-pressed to get worse reviews than the one by British artist Sarah Boardman, currently hanging in the Colorado State Capitol building.
During Trump’s inauguration, Boardman revealed the reason behind Trump’s strange appearance in the picture.
She said Trump would eventually be replaced by a new president, so he needs to “look neutral” in the history books.
The artist said: “My portrait of President Trump has been called thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting.
“In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall who is only historical background and he needs to look neutral.”
She also said in an interview that she always takes personal feelings toward any subject out of her art – and she can “leave those emotions at the door”.
