WASHINGTON – President Joe Bidens longstanding affection for the gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses Ray-Bans was seen giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a bespoke pair of airplanes this week, according to a White House official.
This is not the only gift Biden has given his Russian counterpart. Putin also received a Crystal sculpture of an American bison.
The sculpture was made by Steuben Glass of New York, and Randolph USA made the aviators.
The bison is the national mammal of the United States
“In Russia, bison have been reintroduced in the last 20 years after numerous areas were rewilded after they became extinct in 1927,” said the official.
Biden is a frequent fan of aviators, often spotted with Ray-Bans at White House functions.
Gifts have a long tradition
Giving between heads of state is a centuries-old tradition, according to the National Archives. The gifts are seen as a gesture of friendship, cooperation and diplomacy.
During the G-7 summit, Biden gifted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a bespoke bike. Bilenky cycle of works said the Washington Post that the State Department paid $ 1,800 for the bike, which normally costs $ 6,000. Johnson gave Biden a photo of a Fredrick Douglass mural. The photo was taken by Melissa Highton.
Biden met Putin on Wednesday at a one-day summit in Geneva. Biden described the conversation as “good, positive” as he looked Loosen tensions between Moscow and Washington. The two heads of state and government spoke for more than three hours on a range of topics, from cybersecurity to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
