WASHINGTON: White House envoy Steve Witkoff recently shared a series of glowing remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealing that the Russian leader had expressed his personal concern for U.S. President Donald Trump following the 2024 assassination attempt during Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Witkoff, who met with Putin last week in Moscow for several hours of discussions, described the talks as “constructive” and focused on finding solutions to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The envoy, speaking to right-wing podcast host Tucker Carlson, emphasized that he does not view Putin as a “bad guy,” describing the situation surrounding the war as complex and noting that Putin is a leader striving to bring an end to the three-year-long conflict.
During their meeting, Witkoff recounted a personal moment where Putin shared a touching story about his reaction to the attempted assassination of Trump. According to Witkoff, Putin told him how, upon hearing about the shooting, he went to his local church, met with his priest, and prayed for Trump’s well-being. Witkoff noted that Putin’s gesture was driven by his friendship with the president, rather than political ambition.
In a gesture of goodwill, Putin had also commissioned a “beautiful portrait” of Trump from a prominent Russian artist, which he asked Witkoff to deliver to the U.S. president. Witkoff described the moment as “gracious” and revealed the Russian leader’s deep personal regard for Trump.
Witkoff’s praise of Putin highlights the shift in Washington’s tone towards the Kremlin, a stark contrast from previous administrations, where Russia was viewed as a geopolitical adversary. The envoy’s comments reflect a growing divergence in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump’s second term.
In addition to his praise for Putin, Witkoff addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader should recognize the urgency of negotiating a deal with Russia. Witkoff acknowledged the difficult position Zelensky is in, facing a nuclear power in Russia, and urged him to strike a deal before the situation escalates further.
Witkoff’s remarks were made in an interview with Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host known for his pro-Kremlin stance, adding a layer of controversy to the ongoing debate over U.S.-Russia relations.
