When this week during a meeting “the Big twenty” in Germany for the first time to meet face to face Donald trump, and Vladimir Putin, the stakes are very high. Between the US and Russia, there is disagreement on the question of how to put an end to the civil war in Syria and how to end ISIS (banned organization in Russia — approx. TRANS.). In addition, against Russia sanctions because of the annexation of Crimea, and NATO is expanding its borders, which also causes tension. Oh Yes, there’s still one little problem with the Russian intervention in the American presidential election.
But trump and Putin understands that politics is extremely important image. All that you say and write about the conversation between the two leaders, will be based on several photos and the photos of their meeting. Because trump makes every handshake from a world leader in the verification of the symbolic and physical force, and Putin likes to pose shirtless on horseback, demonstration of masculinity during their conversation will be what no one has ever observed in the higher echelons of global politics.
“I think manly posturing at the meeting, the two leaders will appear at the Olympic level, as both understand the importance of symbolism and how important it is to look tough and cool,” — said in an interview with CNN, a former senior official from the administration of President Barack Obama’s Derek Chollet (Derek Chollet), is engaged in matters of national security, and currently working in the Marshall Fund.
With regard to masculinity in its purest form, the Putin clearly has the advantage. In the end, he’s a former KGB agent, who received a black belt in judo, karate and Taekwondo.
In the past, the Russian President was willing to intimidate foreign leaders in an attempt to obtain benefits. In one famous incident a decade ago Putin meeting in Sochi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel let off the leash of his big black Labrador Koni. Many guests of this probably would have liked, but Merkel was very uncomfortable, because in 1995, she was bitten by a dog, and it has since been afraid of them. Made at the time the photograph speaks volumes: Merkel tense with the excitement of watching the dog, and Putin sits back in his chair and smiles smugly.
Then Putin said that he knew nothing about the fears Merkel, but the German leader left no doubt about the intentions of her colleagues.
“I understand why he is forced to do — to prove that he’s a man, — said Merkel. — He is afraid of his own weaknesses. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. She has only this”.
Trump, of course, gained a special reputation for his manner to welcome foreign leaders. In an apparent attempt to gain the upper hand and gain an advantage, or maybe just not knowing how to greet, trump happy enough companion by the hand, and then shakes it for a long time, with the power of attracting man to himself.
This led to the famous battle between trump and Emmanuel Macron, when the American President in may was in Europe. It seems that the French President was well aware of the unusual manner of his American colleagues. This pair of forever bravely ate each other’s views.
It is unknown what Putin plans for the long-awaited meeting with trump, which will take place this week. But one thing is certain: neither one nor the other does not want to seem weaker than the source.
