The handshake the world was waiting for: Trump and Putin finally meet at G20 after US president tweets they have ‘much to discuss’
Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin face to face for the first time at the G20 Summit Friday
Trump and Putin’s meeting comes at a pivotal time in relations between Russia and the United States
Federal investigators are continuing to look into Russia’s interference in the 2016 US presidential election
Officials are also investigating possible collusion between Trump campaign associates and Russian officials
The meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 global economic powers opened Friday in Hamburg, Germany
By David Martosko, US Political Editor
DailyMail.com
7 July 2017
President Donald Trump got closer to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin than ever on Friday when the two men met backstage at the G20 meeting.
The German government captured the ordinarily hidden handshakes and back-slaps by mounting a video camera on top of an official photographer’s camera.
Trump is seen shaking Vlad’s hand rightie-to-rightie, and using his left hand to pat the underside of Putin’s arm.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, facing them from the other side of a cocktail table, leans obliviously while the two men appear to chuckle at a private joke.
The surprising gesture was more familiar than anything else shown on the 40-second video clip, which was first published on Facebook.
When Putin greets UK Prime Minister Theresa May, for instance, the handshake is formal, curt and respectful – with the leaders bowing to each other slightly.
But when Trump comes up to the same table to see Putin, the how-do-you-do is more congenial – the stuff of fishing buddies or bowling teammates.
In a later clip, Trump is shown extending his left arm to pat Putin’s back while he smiles broadly.
Until Thursday, the two men had reportedly never met.
Trump is trying to establish a rapport with Putin, one White House aide said Friday, in the hope that the two men can reach a detente and avoid a new Cold War.
But the US president’s critics warn that Putin, a former KGB spymaster, is a master of manipulation who can meet every Trump volley with an overhand smash.
The footage was shot during the leaders’ ‘retreat’ – an informal gathering before the more consequential meetings that form the basis of G20 policy discussions.
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