Watch Donald Trump's unusually long handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron
The two presidents patted each other's shoulders and firmly shook hands for around 15 seconds before they sat down to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine
Sometimes handshakes can be awkward, even between world leaders.
U.S. President Donald Trump and President of France Emmanuel Macron shared a lengthy handshake at the White House ahead of their discussion about Russia's war in Ukraine on Monday.
Video captured the extended greeting between the presidents, who patted each other's shoulders and firmly shook hands for around 15 seconds. Their conversation later proved to be pleasant as the two had nothing but flattering things to say about one another.
"President Macron is a very special man in my book," Trump said in the Oval Office.
"We are personal friends, because we work very well together," Macron said at the White House. "The U.S. and France always stand on the same side − the right side, I would say, of history."
Watch tug-of-war handshake between Trump and Macron
Macron urges Trump not to side with Russia
On the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Macron pleaded with Trump not to carry out a rushed deal to end the war by legitimizing Russia President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade.
U.S. allies are shocked at the rapid pace of Trump's talks with Putin’s government and suggestions from the White House that the aggressor nation could be allowed to retain territory it seized unlawfully, in order to conclude the three-year war, according to reporting by Paste BN.
Trump has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy for the invasion, calling him a "dictator without elections." He is also pushing Zelenskyy to sign a critical minerals agreement allowing the U.S. to recoup money it has spent − and far more − on Ukraine’s defense under the Biden administration.
Zelensky canceled his nation's spring 2024 election, citing the ongoing war.
Macron has orchestrated two separate emergency sessions and called Trump twice ahead of the Monday visit that he said was meant to serve as a "turning point" for Europe's role in peace talks. The two also joined in on a Ukraine call by leaders for the Group of Seven, the international forum that also includes Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.
"We want peace swiftly, but we don't want an agreement that is weak," Macron said Monday at a news conference. "President Putin violated the peace."
Contributing: Sarah D. Wire, Paste BN