Donald Trump’s prime envoy Steve Witkoff has supplied a uncommon glimpse into the distinctive dynamic between the US President and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
In line with Witkoff, Putin prayed for Trump’s well-being after the tried assassination at a marketing campaign rally final summer time. This gesture was not solely an illustration of Putin’s concern but additionally highlighted the friendship between the 2 leaders.
Witkoff shared this anecdote throughout an look on former Fox Information host Tucker Carlson’s podcast, recounting his second assembly with Putin. The Russian president had visited his native church, met along with his priest, and prayed for Trump’s restoration.
“When the president was shot, he went to his native church and met along with his priest and prayed for the president,” Witkoff mentioned of Putin.
Putin “had a friendship with him and he was praying for his pal,” he defined. He added that when he instructed the identical to Trump, he was “clearly touched.”
“That is the form of connection that we’ve got been capable of reestablish by way of a easy phrase known as communication, which many individuals would say I should not have had as a result of Putin is a nasty man. I do not regard Putin as a nasty man. That could be a sophisticated state of affairs, that warfare… You realize,… pic.twitter.com/KRcFmWl0dl
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 22, 2025
This revelation comes after Trump was grazed by a bullet fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks throughout a marketing campaign rally close to Butler, Pennsylvania. On the time, a Kremlin spokesperson blamed the taking pictures on Trump’s political adversaries.
In one other gesture of goodwill, Putin commissioned a “stunning portrait” of Trump by a prime Russian artist, which was gifted to Trump. This transfer underscores the cordial relationship between Putin and Trump, with the latter having expressed admiration for the Russian chief on a number of events. Trump has referred to Putin as a “genius” and “a robust chief,” prompting criticism from those that accuse him of being mushy on the Kremlin.
The dynamics between Putin and Trump have been topic to intense scrutiny, notably given the continued battle in Ukraine. Earlier this week, the 2 leaders engaged in a two-hour telephone name to debate ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Trump described the dialog as “superb and productive,” highlighting the continued efforts to resolve the battle.