On Sunday, during the ceremony to commemorate the end of World War I, world leaders gathered in Paris. Photos and television coverage of the event raised eyebrows when Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived and offered Donald Trump a “thumbs up.” It was also noted that, unlike Trump’s greetings to every other world leader, he had a genuinely happy smile on his face when he saw Putin.
He wants Putin to approve of him so badly, it's like a child seeking a parent's love. Trump's body language is unmistakable after Putin gives him the thumbs up: Pure validation and satisfaction. https://t.co/dDL58JObba
— Peter Daou (@peterdaou) November 11, 2018
Although the two had planned to meet at lunch during the event, Russian television outlets (which are all state media under Putin), complained that Russian officials changed the seating arrangements to ensure that the two did not sit next to one another during the lunch.
According to BBC News:
‘Several world leaders also held bilateral meetings at the events. Mr Putin told journalists he had a brief conversation with Mr Trump and that it went well.
‘However, the French organisers of the lunch event changed the lunchtime seating arrangement at the last minute so Mr Trump and Mr Putin would not be sitting next to each other, Russian media reported.’
#French officials thwart #TrumpPutin #meeting by scrapping lunch seating arrangements at last minute: report https://t.co/JCY4Di2zn9
When they T/P parted they told each other “until we meet again”
Isn't that what 'lovers' say?— STAR (@PwrChip) November 11, 2018
The move followed a strong rebuke of the two men by French President Emmanuel Macron. Onlookers were both surprised and moved by the speech.
‘Addressing leaders in Paris – including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin – he described it as a “betrayal of patriotism”.
‘”By saying ‘our interests first and never mind the others’ you stamp out the most precious thing a nation has – its moral values,” he said.’
#Russia's state media complains that Putin and Trump "weren't allowed to communicate," as the seating arrangements were changed at the last minute in order to keep them apart. Putin told Russian media that the two managed to talk nonetheless and their conversation went well. ©️ pic.twitter.com/DDYfxkxdnN
— Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) November 11, 2018
He also had some scathing words for Trump’s calls to shut down NATO, an organization that has existed since the end of WWII and ensure that the U.S. had allies to combat any sort of rise of any country who tried to do what Hitler so famously did to Jewish people and the rest of the world.
‘Ruining this hope with a fascination for withdrawal, violence or domination would be a mistake for which future generations would rightly find us responsible.’
#Russia's state media points out that Trump and Putin were "among the last to leave the Élysée Palace" and in spite of the last-minute change in seating arrangements, they still managed to talk. ©️ pic.twitter.com/4ahpRK1YRd
— Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) November 11, 2018
Despite France’s best efforts, Trump and Putin were the last to leave and met briefly. The two have not met together in private since Trump’s infamous statements taking Putin’s side over our own intelligence agencies in Helsinki.
Featured image via screenshot via YouTube
