Trump and Macron: The most awkward moments from Ukraine meet

US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanual Macron are arguably two of the most awkward world leaders when they meet. The pair have gone viral again for their hilariously awkward interactions, as shown in the photos below. Neither leader has shaken the other’s hand without appearing uncomfortable. Several incidents over the past few days have highlighted this awkwardness.

Their infamous “death clasp” handshakes have been a talking point since 2017 when the first bizarre handshake lasted an excruciating 29 seconds. This took place at the Nato summit in Brussels. The leaders met in Washington, DC, to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the potential end to Russia’s military action.

They first appeared before photographers outside the White House for a press conference, where they once again shook hands. This time, it lasted a slightly shorter — but still uncomfortable —12 seconds. The next encounter took place with both of the leaders heading inside the US President’s Oval Office, when some leg touching took place.

Mr Trump and Mr Macron were however meeting about the war efforts, to try and stop the Ukraine Russia battle from ongoing, which hit the third anniversary of fighting this week. Then another uncomfortable shake between the pair happened during a news conference, as Mr Trump twisted Macron's arm jokingly before they faced the press again.

President Macron said: “We want peace. And I think the initiative of President Trump is a very positive one. But my message was to say be careful because we need something substantial for Ukraine. “I think the arrival of President Trump is a game-changer. And I think he has the deterrence capacity of the US to reengage with Russia.”.

Donald Trump has said to have spoken directly with Vladimir Putin about the war, and how things could be stopped. A French source is said to have also told The Telegraph that “sending fighter jets carrying nuclear weapons to Germany would send a strong message to Putin.”.

The warning comes as Friedrich Merz, the man expected to be the next German Chancellor, said he would like to gain “independence” from the US, after being unhappy at how the Trump administration had attempted to “influence’ the German election result.

The pair appeared positive about the hopes of a happy ending in Europe, if people are “smart” about it. Donald Trump said: “I think we could end it within weeks, if we're smart. If we're not smart, it'll keep going and we'll keep losing young, beautiful people that shouldn't be dying.”.

The pair’s award shakes for the cameras are the latest in a long list of elongated clasps between the two leaders. Macron said at the time that the clinch of a handshake was “not innocent” and showed he would not be intimidated. They have shared several more bizarre handshakes during Trump's first term, including in December 2024, after Mr Trump won reelection over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and when the duo met in Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame after the fire in April 2019.