Czech hockey legend Dominik Hasek criticized US First Lady Melania Trump for accepting a painting from Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in the White House, Expressen reported.
Dmitriev handed over the artwork during a visit in Washington, DC, earlier in November. The painting was reportedly created by an 11-year-old child named Lydia from Olesjkij who moved to Russia, according to the New York Times.
The meeting followed Melania Trump’s reported role in late October negotiations regarding a ceasefire for occupied Olesjkij in eastern Ukraine. During the White House visit, Dmitriev presented the artwork bearing the words “I love Melania” to the first lady.
Human rights concerns frame the gift against reports that Russia has removed at least 20,000 children from Ukraine. Hasek, a vocal critic of Russia and President Vladimir Putin throughout the war, condemned the interaction on social media.
How repulsive, and what a massive humiliation for the USA, that the First Lady in the White House should accept a trophy from a criminal—a supporter of murderers and terrorists, and even a backer of the genocide of Ukrainian children. This disgrace will go down in history. pic.twitter.com/n7ZBuGqDTj
“Så motbjudande, and vilken massiv förödmjukelse för USA. /…/ Det här är en skamfläck som går till historien”, Dominik Hasek wrote on X.
The 61-year-old former goaltender elaborated on his reaction in an interview with Expressen, noting the emotional toll on families affected by the conflict.
“När jag hör sådana tal eller ser sådana bilder tappar jag fullständigt hakan”, said Dominik Hasek told Expressen.
Hasek argued that public appearances alongside Russian representatives serve to promote figures linked to the war. He questioned how Ukrainian parents burying their children view such diplomatic optics.
Kirill Dmitriev is a Russian envoy who traveled to Washington to meet with US officials, including Melania Trump.
The artwork featured the text “I love Melania” and was attributed to an 11-year-old child named Lydia from Olesjkij.
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