Russian Artist Nikas Safronov's Trump Portrait, Given by Putin, Aims to Ease US-Russia Tensions

 Russian artist Nikas Safronov, who painted a portrait of Donald Trump that was given to the U.S. president by Vladimir Putin says he never suspected his work would become an instrument of Russia-U.S. diplomacy. The painting by Nikas Safronov depicts Trump clenching his fist in a gesture of defiance in the moments after a gunman tried to assassinate him at a rally in Pennsylvania last July, was given away for free to unidentified clients and later presented to Trump through Russian channels. Safronov now hopes that his artwork can contribute to easing tensions between Russia and the U.S., especially amid ongoing efforts to address the Ukraine conflict and improve bilateral relations.

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