Trump set 'handshake‑friendly Putin' trend: expert on Russian leader's China visit

East Asia expert Nataliya Butyrska, senior analyst at the New Europe Center, stated this on Espreso TV.

“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already met with Putin several times in China in recent days. However, it’s worth recalling the events in Alaska, when American military personnel rolled out the red carpet for Putin. This signal from the world’s largest and most influential country and its leader showed everyone that it is acceptable to embrace Putin and shake his hand. The trend of Putin being ‘handshake-friendly’ was set by U.S. President Donald Trump. The world took this signal very seriously, as the U.S. largely shapes global behavior regarding the war,” explained Butyrska.

According to the expert, several democratic countries that reduced engagement with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine are already planning to resume business with Russia if ceasefire negotiations take place.

“Pressure on countries like Russia caused some restraint. India remains a close partner, and it has not abandoned its ties with Russia. Prime Minister Modi actively interacts with Putin, and their connections date back to the USSR. Meanwhile, for example, South Korea, after receiving similar signals from the U.S., is now in a position to quickly return to business with Russia as soon as negotiations happen,” she concluded.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Tuesday, September 2, and said both countries should promote deeper integration of their interests.