Tjeck hockey legend Dominik Hasek has called the acceptance of a painting by Melania Trump from a Russian official linked to President Vladimir Putin “fruktansvärt” and a “massive humiliation for the United States.”
The gift was presented during a meeting at the White House earlier this month between Trump and Kirill Dmitriev, who is an envoy for Putin, Expressen reported. The painting, reportedly created by an 11-year-old girl named Lydia who is said to have been displaced from occupied Ukraine, featured the words “I love Melania,” according to the New York Times.
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
Dmitriev Presented Trump with a Painting Following Ceasefire Negotiations
The meeting occurred shortly after Trump was credited with playing a central role in negotiating a ceasefire for the occupied Oleshky area in eastern Ukraine, as reported by Expressen. During the encounter, Dmitriev presented Trump with the painting.
The Russian official claimed the child had left Oleshky to live in Russia, a statement that comes against the backdrop of Russia having taken at least 20,000 children and brought them away from Ukraine.
Hasek, a 61-year-old former NHL goaltender who has been a vocal critic of Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine, reacted with strong disapproval. He expressed his dismay on the social media platform X, writing: “So disgusting, and what a massive humiliation for the USA. … This is a stain that will go down in history.”
Hasek’s Scathing Criticism
In an interview with Expressen, Hasek elaborated on his condemnation. “When I hear such talk or see such pictures, I completely drop my jaw,” he said. “Just think about how it must be for the Ukrainians, who are losing their lives and their children—how must they not feel? It’s horrible.”
He went on to accuse Trump of associating with criminals. “I think what she did was completely wrong,” Hasek said. “It’s disgusting that through her public photographs and statements she is advertising for criminals. She stands there together with a criminal and practically accepts a trophy from him.”
Hasek, who grew up in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia, said he sympathizes with the parents of children affected by the war in Ukraine. “For me it is horrible, but can you even imagine a little bit how it must feel for parents in Ukraine to see something like that? I can’t!” he told Expressen.
“These parents see their children being buried, maimed, and in the thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, being taken away to Russia! And then the First Lady of the United States thanks the criminals for their way of treating Ukrainian children! How would she feel if someone kidnapped her children and someone else did something like that? It’s good to always think about how it would be if you yourself were affected.”
Russia’s Alleged Child Deportations
The gift from Dmitriev must be seen in the context of Russia’s removal of Ukrainian children, a practice that has been documented. Russia has taken at least 20,000 children and brought them away from Ukraine.
The Broader Implications
The New York Times has described it as a victory for both Russia and Ukraine that they get Melania Trump to appear as a peace architect—besides helping to alleviate the crisis in OLESK, she can also help both countries when they have her husband, the president.
Trump’s increased public profile comes after a period of maintaining a low profile. Her re-emergence into the public eye coincides with the November 20 release of “Melania the series” on streaming in the USA, a two-part series that is said to be a documentary, as noted by Expressen. This follows the release of “Melania” about her earlier in the year, also by Amazon.
The episode highlights the complex intersection of sports, politics, and diplomacy. Hasek’s criticism is particularly noteworthy given his career as a sports icon and a political figure.
He has previously run for the Czech Senate and has been a critic of the sport world for not stopping Russian athletes, arguing that letting Russian athletes play hockey or participate in other sports is to spread Russian war propaganda. His perspective carries weight in the global sports community.
What’s Next
The full implications of Melania Trump’s meeting with Dmitriev and her acceptance of the painting remain to be seen.
Worth a look
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