A photograph of US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been hung in the White House’s newly renovated Palm Room, an area that serves as the main lobby for officials and journalists visiting the West Wing. The image shows the two leaders walking side by side during their August 2025 summit in Anchorage, Alaska, and matches a photo Trump displayed at an August press conference, which he claimed was sent to him by Putin.
The Palm Room, redesigned last September from a greenhouse-style lounge into a formal reception area with framed portraits, is not part of public tours. It is positioned above a family photograph of Trump with his granddaughter.
While a White House official stated that it is routine for photos of presidential engagements to be displayed and rotated throughout the White House, the image’s placement has drawn attention due to the complex relationship between the two leaders.
Since returning to office, President Trump has alternated between criticizing Putin over stalled Ukraine peace efforts and praising their personal rapport. The August 2025 Alaska summit—the first face-to-face meeting between US and Russian leaders since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022—ended without a ceasefire deal but was described by both sides as productive.
President Putin has similarly portrayed his engagement with Trump as constructive, presenting it as an opportunity to restore strained bilateral relations. He has echoed Trump’s claim that the Ukraine conflict might have been avoided had Trump remained in office and expressed optimism about future cooperation once the conflict concludes.
The photo’s appearance coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts over Ukraine. Last week, delegations from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine met in Abu Dhabi for the first trilateral talks since 2022, aimed at advancing a peace framework. While the sides described the discussions as constructive, territorial issues remain the primary obstacle.
