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When Putin met Obama – diplomacy decoded by the Russian internet When Putin met Obama – diplomacy decoded by the Russian internet
(34 minutes later)
Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Barack Obama at the United Nations general assembly was always going to be a frosty affair.Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Barack Obama at the United Nations general assembly was always going to be a frosty affair.
Russia’s relations with the US and its allies have been at an all time low since fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine. Yet, both feel sides feel they have a role to play in fighting terror in the Middle East – a situation which Russia has insinuated was caused by US arrogance.Russia’s relations with the US and its allies have been at an all time low since fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine. Yet, both feel sides feel they have a role to play in fighting terror in the Middle East – a situation which Russia has insinuated was caused by US arrogance.
Just days before the scheduled one-to-one with Obama there were conflicting messages coming from the two countries’ press staff. Washington said Ukraine would be top of the agenda, Moscow insisted it would be Syria.Just days before the scheduled one-to-one with Obama there were conflicting messages coming from the two countries’ press staff. Washington said Ukraine would be top of the agenda, Moscow insisted it would be Syria.
But official handout photos from the UN indicated that talking politics may not have been the most awkward part of the whole shebang. Their official pre-meet handshake was stiff, whilst the image of them clinking glasses at a later luncheon was enough to make anyone squirm.But official handout photos from the UN indicated that talking politics may not have been the most awkward part of the whole shebang. Their official pre-meet handshake was stiff, whilst the image of them clinking glasses at a later luncheon was enough to make anyone squirm.
But what hidden messages can we glean from the images? The Russian internet has done the analysis so you don’t have.But what hidden messages can we glean from the images? The Russian internet has done the analysis so you don’t have.
Помните украинские и американские заголовки новостей "Путин умолял Обаму о встрече"? Оно и видно, кто кого умолял :) pic.twitter.com/udeXOfFaNmПомните украинские и американские заголовки новостей "Путин умолял Обаму о встрече"? Оно и видно, кто кого умолял :) pic.twitter.com/udeXOfFaNm
According to some, and contrary to US reports, one head of state was keener on the meeting than the other. Global Voices translated the tweet: “Remember the Ukrainian and American news headlines about ‘Putin begging Obama to meet’? Now it’s obvious who begged whom.”According to some, and contrary to US reports, one head of state was keener on the meeting than the other. Global Voices translated the tweet: “Remember the Ukrainian and American news headlines about ‘Putin begging Obama to meet’? Now it’s obvious who begged whom.”
But maybe feelings had changed by the time it got to dinner?But maybe feelings had changed by the time it got to dinner?
And another pic.twitter.com/sKlziH8yItAnd another pic.twitter.com/sKlziH8yIt
Netizens tried to push #Putinpeacemaker to the top of the trending charts, and for some, there was no doubt about who would come out of the negotiations as victor.Netizens tried to push #Putinpeacemaker to the top of the trending charts, and for some, there was no doubt about who would come out of the negotiations as victor.
Before #Putin's #UN speech, the hashtag #PutinPeacemaker is being promoted by pro-Russian users featuring pics like: pic.twitter.com/7WOt2eZEOnBefore #Putin's #UN speech, the hashtag #PutinPeacemaker is being promoted by pro-Russian users featuring pics like: pic.twitter.com/7WOt2eZEOn
I love it! #PutinPeacemaker pic.twitter.com/ZMV6m1M0aTI love it! #PutinPeacemaker pic.twitter.com/ZMV6m1M0aT
Others were adamant he was coming in love:Others were adamant he was coming in love:
#PutinPeacemaker PUTIN IS ONE LOVE pic.twitter.com/TR8f4e37jb#PutinPeacemaker PUTIN IS ONE LOVE pic.twitter.com/TR8f4e37jb
And the Kremlin-backed Sputink news agency threw in its two cents: And the Kremlin-backed Sputink news agency parody account threw in its two cents:
Kremlin releases 1st official pic of #Putin speaking at #UNGA #UNGA70 #UNGA2015 #PutinPeacemaker pic.twitter.com/Vip61tVXneKremlin releases 1st official pic of #Putin speaking at #UNGA #UNGA70 #UNGA2015 #PutinPeacemaker pic.twitter.com/Vip61tVXne
In preparation for Putin’s UN speech, The Washington Post created its own Putin bingo for Russia-observers to play along at home:In preparation for Putin’s UN speech, The Washington Post created its own Putin bingo for Russia-observers to play along at home:
Annotated explainer of what phrases and themes Putin may touch on at the UN. And it's bingo. https://t.co/eQLECt2TQt pic.twitter.com/i13IAj9OIyAnnotated explainer of what phrases and themes Putin may touch on at the UN. And it's bingo. https://t.co/eQLECt2TQt pic.twitter.com/i13IAj9OIy
It was not quite a full house:It was not quite a full house:
This is where I'm at now https://t.co/eQLECt2TQt pic.twitter.com/39zOdbGYaIThis is where I'm at now https://t.co/eQLECt2TQt pic.twitter.com/39zOdbGYaI