JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — First came the red carpet, then the warm handshakes, friendly smiles and military planes flying overhead.
Finally, President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin climbed into the back seat of Trump’s presidential limousine, casually chatting like reunited friends as they were whisked away to talks about the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Putin basically showed that Russia is on equal terms with the US right now. He got red carpet treatment, was applauded by President Trump, and he then spoke first in that news conference. Very unusual for a visiting head of state to be allowed to do that. When he said what he had to say, he left. He controlled the narrative during the whole summit.
I heard that standard diplomatic protocol is the longest serving diplomat speaks first.
If I’m not mistaken, Trump has been talking first when meeting with European leaders, who definitely have been in office longer.
but europe is composed of a bunch of natostans. they’re not really sovereign nations.
This was a powerful illustration of this fact.
Hmmm, interesting