Warm Trump-Putin Greeting Sparks Global Reactions at Summit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump and Putin greeted one another with striking warmth during their Alaska summit, showing physical gestures of camaraderie. Despite Putin’s international war crimes accusations, Trump extended a friendly welcome, even inviting him into his vehicle. The early meeting moments, marked by silence and symbolism, are being closely scrutinized.
Trump Putin Body Language Quick Looks
- Trump and Putin greeted each other with arm touches and smiles.
- Putin is wanted by the ICC for war crimes in Ukraine.
- Russia dismisses the ICC warrant as invalid and politically motivated.
- Trump invited Putin to ride in his armored vehicle.
- Russian state media praised the warmth and “historic handshake.”
- Both leaders remained silent as their bilateral meeting began.
- The meeting backdrop read: “Pursuing Peace” and “Alaska 2025.”
- Putin refused to answer questions about a ceasefire or civilian casualties.
Deep Look: Trump and Putin Display Striking Warmth at Alaska Summit
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The opening moments of the much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were marked by surprising physical warmth and subdued symbolism. Meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the two leaders embraced each other like long-time allies, not wartime adversaries — an image sending powerful messages both at home and abroad.
As they met on the tarmac, Trump and Putin smiled broadly, shook hands, and touched each other’s arms in gestures of apparent affection. The reception, broadcast live and echoed through global media, showcased a rapport that bordered on personal familiarity. “Warm” might be an understatement.
Putin’s broad grin, captured in near cinematic detail, belied the heavy international scrutiny surrounding his visit. The Russian leader, who remains the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children, stood comfortably alongside Trump on American soil.
Russia has flatly denied all war crime allegations. The Kremlin has dismissed the ICC’s warrant as legally meaningless, citing that it never signed the court’s founding Rome Statute. For many, though, Putin’s presence in the U.S. remains controversial.
A Gesture Beyond Diplomacy
In a move that grabbed attention even before formal talks began, Trump invited Putin to ride with him in his armored presidential vehicle. Russian state media seized on the moment, with outlets like RIA Novosti and Russia 24 portraying it as a symbol of goodwill and unity. The shared ride was characterized by some as the unofficial start of the summit.
A Russia 24 anchor framed the move as “extremely friendly,” underscoring what they described as a “historic handshake.” Whether staged or spontaneous, the optics were deliberate — reinforcing a narrative of camaraderie rather than confrontation.
In Alaska, the body language is far from cold
The image was striking: a grinning Putin, peering out the window of Trump’s armored limo as they passed by a bank of cameras off the tarmac in Alaska.
So far, the body language at Friday’s summit has been anything but frosty. As Putin was approaching Trump on the red carpet, the US president gave a couple of claps to welcome him onto US soil for the first time in 10 years. The two shook hands and walked together to Trump’s limo.
Later, as they were sitting down for their meeting, both Trump and Putin offered a few smiles, though Trump was mostly stone-faced.
The Russian president is known for conveying his mindset through his posture. Former US presidents have commented on his habit of slouching in his chair as they are speaking, in a sign of his disinterest.
He wasn’t slouching in Alaska. Instead, he sat forward in his chair as the meeting got underway, hands clasped, as cameras clicked and reporters shouted unanswered questions.
Silence in the Spotlight
While Trump is known for his off-the-cuff remarks and grand declarations at the start of diplomatic engagements, this time was different. As he and Putin sat side-by-side inside the meeting room, framed by banners reading “Alaska 2025” and “Pursuing Peace,” neither leader spoke to the press.
Trump smiled and leaned in briefly to speak to his interpreter. But when a journalist shouted, “Can you make a deal with him, sir?” the former president offered no response.
Instead, he thanked the press pool and dismissed them without any introductory statements. The silence was unusual — and perhaps intentional.
Putin Evades Ceasefire Questions
Just before entering the building, reporters shouted pointed questions at Putin, including whether he would agree to a ceasefire or stop attacks on civilians in Ukraine. Putin appeared to shrug off the inquiries, gesturing as if he couldn’t hear them. He offered no verbal reply.
The lack of a clear stance from Putin fueled further uncertainty over the summit’s goals and outcomes. Despite speculation that Trump may push for a swift peace deal, there remains no clarity on Russia’s willingness to halt its offensive.
“Pursuing Peace” Amid Legal and Moral Contradictions
The summit’s backdrop slogan — “Pursuing Peace” — painted a hopeful image, but the reality is more complex. Trump has previously warned Russia of “severe consequences” if it continued aggression, but has stopped short of following through with concrete measures. His warm welcome of Putin, despite the ICC warrant and condemnation from European leaders, raises questions about U.S. priorities under his leadership.
The juxtaposition of friendly gestures with unresolved war crimes allegations has only intensified scrutiny. Ukrainian officials and human rights organizations continue to criticize any platform that legitimizes Putin without holding him accountable.
Summit Atmosphere and Media Control
The setting at a secure U.S. military base allowed the leaders to avoid public demonstrations and maintain tight control over media coverage. Cameras captured the moment of arrival, but access to the meeting itself has been limited. Trump’s decision to bypass formal remarks and Putin’s silence amid ceasefire questions leaves much of the summit shrouded in ambiguity.
Despite this, the visuals — the handshake, the shared car ride, the muted smiles — have already set a narrative that critics say downplays the seriousness of ongoing conflict and alleged atrocities.
As the bilateral talks move forward, observers will be watching not just for policy outcomes, but for tone, language, and the way Trump continues to engage with a leader many regard as a war criminal.
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