The state-run Russian international news network Russia Today (RT) has released behind-the-scenes video from Alaska that appears to show President Donald Trump fawning over Vladimir Putin.
The video shared by the Kremlin shows Trump and Putin standing together backstage near where they delivered public remarks following their three-hour meeting.
Despite walking away without a deal and without sharing any details on progress toward ending the war in Ukraine, the president could be seen laughing as he spoke to Putin.
The only person standing with the two leaders as they spoke was Putin’s translator.
In the video, Trump can be seen offering his hand first to shake hands with Putin. The president then tapped their joined hands with his other hand, embracing Putin with a two-hand shake. He also shook the Russian translator’s hand at the end of the clip.
The Kremlin was quick to release the video. While the White House has been posting a series of clips from the historic visit in Alaska, it has not yet shared any candid video of Trump and Putin together. The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Beast’s request for comment.
According to RT, the video was taken right after their public remarks, during which neither man took any questions from reporters. It described their behind-the-scenes banter as “light chatter.”
Trump spoke with Sean Hannity on Friday night, immediately following his meeting with Putin. The Fox News anchor asked the president if he was able to get any “alone time” with Putin. Trump indicated that he did after the two leaders spoke publicly.
“He made a very good speech, and I also finished it up and afterwards we spoke right after that,” the president said. “We spoke very sincerely. I think he wants to see it done.”
Before their in-person talks began, Trump also invited Putin to join him in the Beast, the presidential limousine, to ride from the tarmac in Anchorage, where the two first greeted each other on a specially laid red carpet.
The Kremlin has been quicker than the White House to provide several details on the meeting between Putin and Trump.
It was Russia that first indicated the two world leaders would hold a joint press conference after their historic sit-down. The Kremlin was also quick to share that talks were going well as the discussions stretched on behind closed doors.
Then it was Russia putting out backstage video seemingly featuring Trump and Putin buddying up after their public remarks.
Experts warn that Putin is a master manipulator as well as a war criminal, but Trump has boasted of his close relationship with the Russian president as talks reportedly continue.
