The annual G20 meeting is usually a boring event during which leaders of the world’s most industrialized countries discuss the global economy and try to get along in the process. But political tensions and the conflict in Syria took center stage at this year’s gathering, which was hosted by Russia. With the world watching, Vladimir Putin, David Cameron, Barack Obama, François Hollande and other heads of state put on their best poker faces.
The annual G20 meeting is usually a boring event during which leaders of the world’s most industrialized countries discuss the global economy and try to get along in the process. But political tensions and the conflict in Syria took center stage at this year’s gathering, which was hosted by Russia. With the world watching, Vladimir Putin, David Cameron, Barack Obama, François Hollande and other heads of state put on their best poker faces.
Obama greets Putin with a firm handshake, extending his left arm as though going in for the friendly back-pat—a standard gesture when he meets people. But this time he held back, unwittingly signaling the deep political rift between the U.S. and Russia.
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Hand motions were clearly the universal language at this year's G20 summit. Pictured here, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde gives and receives a thumbs up before the first meeting.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin poses for a group photo, Obama and other world leaders fail miserably at stifling smirks.
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty
"Dilma, I think the world of you, but Michelle wouldn't approve of this waist-grabbing situation," Obama told Brazilian President Dilma Roussef. Just kidding, he didn't say anything of the sort. In fact, given how well these two get along, we can only assume he reciprocated the platonic squeeze.
Whisper, whisper. French President Francois Hollande cozies up to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Less hesitant to be handsy, David Cameron is poised to gingerly tap Angela Merkel's shoulder as she shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's finance minister, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf.
Always a charmer, Putin helps Merkel into her coat after an hour-long "musical fountain show" at the Peterhof Palace.
Frustrated by the futile talks about a military strike in Syria? Longing to return to London? Overserved at dinner the previous night? Hard to tell what's behind Cameron's furrowed brow, but this was clearly a low point for the British PM.
Silence is golden? U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and French President Francois Hollande pose before a bilateral meeting meeting at the summit.
