Trump-Putin Photo Rehung in White House Sparks Outrage

European and U.S. leaders criticize the display of the two leaders' meeting amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:47am

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A photo of former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been rehung in the White House, reigniting criticism from European and U.S. officials over Trump's relationship with the Russian leader. The photo was taken when the two leaders met in Anchorage, Alaska in 2022 to discuss a potential peace deal with Ukraine, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to attend.

Why it matters

The display of the Trump-Putin photo is seen as controversial given Putin's role in the ongoing war in Ukraine and accusations of war crimes. The move has sparked renewed criticism of Trump's perceived closeness with the Russian president and his policies toward Ukraine.

The details

The framed photo was spotted hanging in the White House's Palm Room by PBS White House correspondent Elizabeth Landers, who posted it on social media. The photo was taken when Trump and Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska in 2022 for discussions about a potential peace deal with Ukraine, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to attend.

  • The photo was taken when Trump and Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska in August 2022.
  • The photo was recently rehung in the White House's Palm Room.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022.

Vladimir Putin

President of Russia, who is accused of committing war crimes in his conduct of the war in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky

President of Ukraine, who was not invited to the 2022 meeting between Trump and Putin.

Marko Mihkelson

Chair of Estonia's parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mark Warner

U.S. Senator from Virginia and Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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What they’re saying

“If it is true that the U.S. president considers it appropriate to hang on the White House wall a photo of the greatest war criminal of the 21st century, then a just and sustainable peace will have to wait. Unfortunately.”

— Marko Mihkelson, Chair of Estonia's parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee

“Putting Putin above the American people and his own family. Almost a little too on the nose.”

— Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia and Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee

What’s next

Officials from the United States, Ukraine and Russia are set to reconvene peace talk negotiations in Abu Dhabi over the weekend.

The takeaway

The rehung photo of Trump and Putin in the White House has reignited criticism over Trump's perceived closeness with the Russian leader, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and accusations of Putin's war crimes. This move underscores the continued political tensions and divisions over U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine.