Donald Trump has divided the internet with a comparison post he made on Truth Social after meeting with Vladimir Putin at a high-stakes summit in Alaska.
On August 15, Trump, 79, and Putin, 72, met on the runway of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson military facility, shaking hands and smiling before heading off together in the former’s armoured limousine.
At their summit, Putin praised the ‘constructive atmosphere of mutual respect’ of the ‘neighbourly’ talks before referring to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war as a ‘situation’.
Trump, however, failed to mention Ukraine or the possibility of a ceasefire - despite previously threatening Russia with ‘severe consequences’ if they didn’t comply.
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The Republican later said the meeting was, in his opinion, ‘extremely productive’ and that he believed there was a ‘good chance of getting’ the peace talks going in the future.
Trump makes ‘Kitchen Debate’ reference with social media post
Trump later shared a black and white image of himself and Putin on his social media platform, Truth Social.
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It showed him squarely pointing at the Russian leader’s chest whilst smirking - possibly hinting at a seismic shift in Washington’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
The image was struck up alongside another monochromatic picture, this time of then Vice President Richard Nixon.
In the infamous image, the Republican was seen making a similar gesture to former Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev during the so-called Kitchen Debate in Moscow, 1959.
What was the 'Kitchen Debate in Moscow about?
The Kitchen Debate was a public, unscripted exchange about America's and Russia’s merits and the flaws of their respective economies.
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It appears Trump has tried to highlight the similarities between his gesture with Putin and that of his predecessor - perhaps hoping to mirror the former President’s intimidation and an air of resistance.
The Express wrote that maybe the father-of-five was trying to draw parallels between his recent confrontation with Moscow and the USA’s ideological struggle against the Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, some sources say it also ‘represents the latest indication of his mounting exasperation at Putin's unwillingness to halt the bloodshed’, as per The Mirror.
"There is no secret that Trump has become increasingly angered by Putin's lack of action,” they told the publication.
Social media divided over Trump-Putin images
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“He says one thing, but then immediately carries out further attacks on Ukraine, showing he has no interest in stopping the killing.
"Putin is beginning to make Trump look weak, and it's wearing on the President. He's already threatened much greater sanctions against Russia if peace is not forthcoming and it's clear Trump feels time is running out."
“This is America standing tall. Trump is showing Putin he won't be pushed around,” said a MAGA supporter on X, formerly known as Twitter
However, some fans aren’t convinced, with many claiming the businessman is trying to ‘act tougher’ than he really is.
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“Give it up. We literally watched you greeting him like you just met Santa Claus,” one disgruntled user typed.
A second wrote that there was a ‘huge difference’ between the two images, and that Trump was probably ‘complementing’ just the Russian leader’s tie.
“Huge difference Putin smiling, because Trump praising him, other guy threatening him with consequences?,” echoed someone else.
A fourth claimed that Trump was ‘playing with fire’, while another commented: “Lol does this make Trump think he looks strong…”
Trump previously called for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire
In May, Trump renewed calls for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine after speaking to the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, 47.
"Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue. The US calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire," Trump said on Truth Social.
"If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions.”
At the time, he added that ‘both countries’ would be ‘held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations’.
Trump has since said he wants to bypass a ceasefire in Ukraine and move directly to a permanent peace agreement after his meeting with Putin, as per the BBC.
Topics: US News, Donald Trump, Politics, Vladimir Putin, Social Media
Ella Scott