Putin gave Trump a portrait of blood. Gesture or diplomatic game?
As CNN revealed, the painting was delivered in March by Steve Witkoff, a close associate of Trump, who also plays the role of a special US envoy in peace conversations regarding Ukraine. In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson The president’s advisor described the work as a « beautiful portrait » and admitted that Trump was « clearly moved » by the Kremlin’s gesture.
The picture has not been shown in public until now. CNN reached the author and revealed the work for the first time.
Trump from blood and iron
The portrait shows Trump in an authentic stage just after the assassination in July 2024, which the whole world has seen in photos and television broadcasts. The president stands with his fist raised, his face is smeared with blood. In the background: the American flag, panorama of New York and the Statue of Freedom.
Nikas Safronov, who created the image, is one of the most famous portraits in Russia. In an interview with CNN, he stated that he did not know who ordered his job. Only later Putin himself called him and confirmed that « the portrait matters and that it was an important step towards improving the relationship between our countries. »
Art instead of a treaty
As the artist admits, he did not take money for the picture. – I understood that it was more than a picture. For a message, « said CNN.
According to CNN, another picture of a similar style hung in the Grand Foyer of the White House, in a place where Barack Obama’s official portrait was previously.
Commentators say directly: in a world where the treaties hardly anyone reads, and official notes circulate unnoticed, Putin chose a different form. He sent a picture. But what will be behind this gesture?
Steve Witkoff was not only a courier with a gift. A few days ago he appeared again in St. Petersburg. As the Financial Times revealed on April 22, It was during this visit that Vladimir Putin was to propose to suspend hostilities and designate a temporary border along the current front in Ukraine. It was even suggested that the Kremlin was ready to give up some of the territorial claims.
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@nexta_tv / x / reuters
A mysterious portrait of Trump was revealed – a gift from Putin, painted by a Russian artist.
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@nexta_tv / x
Blood, fist and flag. This is what a gift from Putin for Trump looks like – the portrait has just been revealed.