As the two leaders sat down for peace talks, a wall of reporters hurled questions over the din – asking when Putin would end his war in Ukraine.
What unfolded next was quite startling. The Kremlin leader shook his head with defiance, while aides could be heard directing journalists out, repeatedly stating ‘Thank you, press’.
Putin appeared to be puzzled as various journalists fired off questions at both leaders, which seemed to cause him to exhibit a series of confused reactions, and he eventually shouted over their inquiries.
In contrast, President Trump remained silent, merely expressing gratitude to reporters before he was guided out, a stark departure from his earlier fiery Oval Office engagement with Volodymyr Zelenskyy this year.
This was not the sole instance at the summit that led to raised eyebrows regarding Putin’s behavior, as some Ukrainians remarked noticing the Russian leader making erratic movements during his interaction with the U.S. president.
Footage from the Kremlin showed Putin’s knee jerking repeatedly as he stood next to the U.S. leader at the conclusion of their brief encounter after a joint press conference.
The pair, flanked by security teams and aides, spoke for a short time, with a translator stepping in to assist their conversation.
Online video clips revealed the Russian leader frequently bending one knee while positioned beside the 6ft 3in former president at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Base in Anchorage, before departing without reaching a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.
The Kremlin strongman shook his head defiantly, as aids could be heard ushering journalists out of the room
Putin appeared to make a confused expression as multiple journalists bombarded the two with questions
It seemed to be a series of bewildered looks, before seemingly shouting over their questions
Firefighters clear the rubble of a destroyed building following a missile attack in Chernigiv
But the unusual movements was seized by eagle-eyed Ukrainians, who ridiculed the 72-year-old’s fidgeting and speculated about the state of his health.
They even claimed he wore a ‘light exoskeleton’ as well as thick-platform shoes to overcome his ‘Napoleon complex’ and minimise his height difference with the US president.
An exoskeleton is wearable robotic device designed to assist or augment the posture of the person wearing it.
Observers also noted the striking difference in stature, with Trump’s 6ft 3in frame towering over the 5ft 7in Russian leader despite Putin’s visibly elevated footwear.
Despite no deal being reached during after two-and-half hours of talks, Trump was upbeat, saying there were ‘many, many points that we agreed on’ but admitted there was one issue — ‘the most significant’ — that remained unresolved.
‘We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there,’ he added, without giving details.
Following the summit, Trump has been calling Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO and European allies to update them.
Kremlin footage captured the Russian leader’s knee jolting repeatedly as he stood alongside his US counterpart
Trump said nothing and simply thanked reporters before being led out, in stark contrast to his heated Oval Office exchange with Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this year
Trump closed by thanking Putin once more, saying: ‘We’ll speak to you very soon, and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir’
The summit, and subsequent press conference, happened at Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska
Zelensky has now said he will travel to Washington on Monday.
He closed by thanking Putin once more, saying: ‘We’ll speak to you very soon, and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir.’
Putin then appeared to catch Trump off guard, responding in English: ‘Next time in Moscow?’
A visibly stunned Trump replied: ‘Oh, that’s an interesting one… I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I can see it possibly happening. Thank you very much. Thank you all.’
There was no mention of a ceasefire from either Mr Trump or Putin during the press conference which followed after their near three-hour meeting.
And despite speaking in a room filled with the world’s press, no questions were taken before both presidents shook hands, briefly posed for pictures and sauntered out of the room.
