Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have convened in Alaska to deliberate on various contentious matters including the Ukraine conflict.
The US President remains resolute in achieving a ceasefire and insists he “won’t be happy” if an agreement isn’t reached.
Nevertheless, despite these assertive declarations, proceedings appeared remarkably amicable when the two global leaders encountered each other on the tarmac today (August 15).
As a smiling Putin approached Trump along the red carpet, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the 79-year-old American.
The world leaders exchanged handshakes before strolling towards their shared transfer vehicle, whilst engaging in relaxed conversation along the way.
They momentarily paused for photographs and seemed to disregard the pointed enquiries shouted by journalists present.
Reporters waiting to see the presidents fired a series of questions at them, one asked: “President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?”
In a chilling response, Putin shrugged and pointed to his ear. Presumably, the leader was making out he is not equipped with an ear piece for translations.
That wasn’t the only uncomfortable moment. Onlookers expressed profound unease that Putin – who faces allegations of being a ‘war criminal’ – received such a cordial reception in Alaska.
Some observers went so far as to describe the meeting as nauseating. One individual shared a vomiting emoji alongside the comment: “Trump just clapped as Putin was coming towards him, and then they did a lovey dovey smiley handshake.”
Another critic declared: “Trump applauded like an exciting school boy, multiple times, as Putin was walking towards him. This is the sickest s*** ever.”
A third observer noted: “He has zero social etiquette. WTF is he clapping for?”.
Yet another commented: “Putin wins. He made it to the US. Even got Trump to clap for him. Disgusting.”
Conversely, others believed the cordial reception represented standard diplomatic protocol.
Defending the applause, a Trump supporter stated: “Because he is in a diplomatic mission, welcoming a head of state, because he hopes to accomplish something good and wants Putin to feel welcome. That is what real leaders and real heads of states do.”
Trump and Putin have begun face-to-face talks in for a high-stakes summit that could determine the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and the fate of European security.
Trump’s allies have cast the US president as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to bring the slaughter to a close, something he used to boast he could do quickly.
For Putin, a summit with Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains, block Kyiv’s bid to join the NATO military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow’s orbit.
You can keep up with all of the action by following the Express live blog here.
