21 hours ago
Last Updated:March 22, 2025, 14:48 IST
During an appearance on former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s podcast, Witkoff shared this anecdote recounting his second meeting with Putin. Putin met with his priest in a local church and prayed for the US President’s recovery.
US President Donald Trump's top envoy Steve Witkoff. (X/@Gerashchenko_en)
US President Donald Trump’s top envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin prayed for Trump’s well-being after the attempted assassination at a campaign rally last summer, showcasing a unique dynamic between the two leaders.
This gesture was not only a demonstration of Putin’s concern but also highlighted the friendship between the two leaders.
“This is the kind of connection that we have been able to reestablish through a simple word called communication, which many people would say I shouldn’t have had because Putin is a bad guy. I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy. That is a complicated situation, that war… You know,… pic.twitter.com/KRcFmWl0dl— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 22, 2025
During an appearance on former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s podcast, Witkoff shared this anecdote recounting his second meeting with Putin. Putin met with his priest in a local church and prayed for the US President’s recovery.
“When the president was shot, he went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the president," Witkoff said of Putin.
Putin “had a friendship with him and he was praying for his friend," he explained. He added that he had relayed the sentimental story to Trump, who was “clearly touched."
Last July, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee at the time, narrowly escaped serious injury when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania.
The shot was fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who opened fire on the rally, striking Trump and three others, and killing one person.
Witkoff said Putin also had a “beautiful portrait" commissioned of Trump by a top Russian artist, which he had gifted to Trump.
This move underscores the cordial relationship between Putin and Trump, with the latter having expressed admiration for the Russian leader on multiple occasions. Trump has referred to Putin as a “genius" and “a strong leader," leading his critics to accuse him of being soft on the Kremlin.
The relationship between Putin and Trump has been subject to intense scrutiny, especially with the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Recently, they had a 2-hour phone call to discuss ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump called the conversation “very good and productive," emphasizing efforts to resolve the conflict.
Location :United States of America (USA)
First Published:March 22, 2025, 14:48 IST
News world Putin Prayed For Trump’s Recovery After Assassination Attempt: Top Envoy Witkoff
