Can gifts be given to a kaafir to soften his heart towards Islam?

There is nothing wrong with that – i.e., there is nothing wrong with giving gifts or money or accommodation to soften his heart towards Islam, but it should be noted that such actions should only be done when appropriate, i.e., the person should be one who it is hoped will become Muslim. But if he is one of the leaders of kufr for whom there is no hope that he may become Muslim, then they should not be given anything, unless it is given in order to ward off their harm. End quote. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)