It was a moving and beautiful sight. World leaders walked side by side down the Champs Elysses in Paris on Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of World War I. A few leaders, however, were missing.
World leaders are walking shoulder to shoulder along the Champs Elysses but Trump arrived separately and isn’t participating in this. pic.twitter.com/kRQlrVKihV
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) November 11, 2018
One would think that after the massive failure in diplomacy on Saturday when Trump decided to skip a memorial ceremony in honor of the soldiers who fell during World War I due to the rain. One would be wrong. Trump’s absence on Sunday morning was very much noticed.
‘U.S President Donald Trump, along with his wife Melania, were one of the last arrivals at the ceremony in Paris. They arrived after other leaders who walked to the ceremony.’
Two men refused to walk with world leaders & then arrived late to the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day: Trump & Putin
A thumbs up, the flash of smiles & a pat on the back deserve a #Resistance Music Break on #ArmisticeDay100
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Listen pic.twitter.com/QLEVDmMt2l
— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@riotwomennn) November 11, 2018
The absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin was also noted, although POLITICO’s Chief Brussels Correspondent David M. Herszenhorn says that Putin did not arrive late. Instead, it appears he waited in his car to make an appearance.
‘Putin was not late to Armistice centennial commemoration in
#Paris – I was backstage (or rather back-Arc ) when his motorcade rolled up totally on-time. But on TV – amazingly – he still made it look like he was late & everyone was waiting for him by appearing after Trump.’
Putin was not late to Armistice centennial commemoration in #Paris – I was backstage (or rather back-Arc ) when his motorcade rolled up totally on-time. But on TV – amazingly – he still made it look like he was late & everyone was waiting for him by appearing after Trump. #хитры pic.twitter.com/5Ll2E4hd9l
— David M. Herszenhorn (@herszenhorn) November 11, 2018
Late arrivals caused the march to the Champs Elysses to start later than planned, which should have been at the exact moment, 11:00 AM EST, that the end of the war was announced.
‘World leaders walked side by side to commemorate the end of World War I in a somber, rain-soaked line as bells finished tolling.
‘Arriving a few minutes late, they missed the exact moment to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I. Fighter jets passed overhead as the leaders walked to the Arc de Triomphe.’
Why did @realDonaldTrump drive up late instead of take the solemn walk w/all the other world leaders during WWI armistice centennial? I thought he was a no-show (again) til he rolled up at the last minute. #tacky #disrespectful https://t.co/eXRyB6MvbY
— Ginger McKnight (@gingermckchav) November 11, 2018
Even though everyone was held up due to protesters, the only arrivals that were too late to join the march, however, were Trump and Putin.
Featured image screenshot via YouTube