Trump Shuns Trudeau in Paris, Gets Thumbs Up from Putin
President ignores 'dishonest and weak' Canadian PM during WWI Armistice Day commemorations
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As world leaders came together in Paris on Sunday for the WWI Armistice Day centenary commemorations, President Trump made no secret of who he respects, and who he doesn't.
As Trump joined other world leaders in Paris to mark 100 years since the end of World War I, he did not extend a handshake to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who the president described as “very dishonest and weak” following a disagreement during the G7 summit earlier this year, reports Agency France-Presse.
The president and first lady were on the front row of the service, alongside host President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees, paying tribute to the millions who died during the four-year conflict.
As Vladimir Putin arrived to join the service, a clear division among the leaders could be seen as Trump extended a warm greeting to the Russian president through the ice-cold atmosphere among the other heads of nations.
Mr. Putin even gave Trump a respectful tap on the arm and a thumbs up.
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As President Macron gave his speech about "global solidarity" and "dangers of nationalism," it soon became clear that nationalists Trump and Putin were the cats among the globalist pigeons.
During the ceremony, Macron said that traces of WW1 “never went away” and warned about the dangers of nationalism destroying world peace.
"The old demons are rising again," Macron said, reports AP.
"We must reaffirm, before our peoples, our true and huge responsibility."
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According to Newsweek, Macron will host the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, a new annual event that aims to bring together international cooperation in order to tackle “global challenges and ensure durable peace.”
Trump will not be attending the forum.
Instead, he plans to visit the American cemetery at Suresnes on the outskirts of Paris.
His earlier planned visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial near Belleau Wood outside of Paris was called off due to bad weather.
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Trump and Putin were also set to meet at a working lunch in the Elysee Palace in the French capital, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said, reports Reuters.
However, the Russian president told RT France that he and Trump decided "not to interrupt the schedule" of World War I commemorations with a separate meeting.
Putin said they will instead try to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aries the weekend of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
The pair is expected to meet for more comprehensive talks at a summit of the G20 nations in Argentina.
Trump was previously criticized in July after he met with Putin and attempted to mend relations with Russia during a summit in Helsinki, Finland.
Dozens of world leaders have come to France to participate in commemorative events marking the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
With the US continuing to aggressively target Russia with sanctions, encounters between the two leaders have become headline-grabbing news.
Adding to this is the so-called ‘Russiagate’ probe that was launched in May 2017 to investigate Trump’s alleged Kremlin ties – an idea pushed by the Democratic Party – which has yet to produce any evidence.
In July, Trump and Putin's summit in Helsinki, Finland, caused much controversy in the US.
