White House envoy Steve Witkoff recently commended Vladimir Putin, describing the Russian leader as trustworthy. Witkoff mentioned that Putin had expressed his support by praying for his “friend,” US President Donald Trump, following an assassination attempt.
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin took place in Moscow over several hours last week, during which discussions centered on efforts to end Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. The envoy characterized the conversations as constructive and focused on finding solutions.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson, a right-wing podcast host, Witkoff noted that he does not perceive Putin as a “bad guy” and praised him as a “great” leader who aims to conclude Moscow’s three-year war with Kyiv. Witkoff expressed a positive impression of Putin, stating, “I liked him. I thought he was straight up with me.”
Witkoff further shared a personal dimension of their discussion, where Putin recounted his reaction to the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to Witkoff, Putin relayed how he had gone to a local church, met with his priest, and prayed for Trump not because of his potential presidency but due to their friendship.
In addition to this gesture, Putin commissioned a renowned Russian artist to create a portrait of President Trump and requested Witkoff to deliver it as a gift, describing the moment as gracious.
Witkoff’s laudatory remarks about Putin, a leader often seen by the United States as an autocratic adversary, underscore a significant shift in Washington’s approach to relations with the Kremlin since Trump’s second term began.
Witkoff also commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s situation, describing it as challenging due to Ukraine’s position against a nuclear-armed nation. Witkoff urged Zelensky to consider reaching an agreement with Moscow, saying it was a critical time to secure a deal.
These comments were made during an interview with Tucker Carlson, who was previously a controversial figure at Fox News. Carlson is recognized for conducting a rare but gentle interview with Putin and for promoting pro-Kremlin narratives in the United States.