New Delhi, December 28 (). In the global politics of 2025, rhetoric and formal agreements often remain limited. Many times the faces captured in the camera, the style of handshake and the distance in the frame said everything which could not be said in speeches.
Who can forget the meeting between USA President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on October 17, 2025. Unlike the previous meeting, Zelensky took a step forward by adopting the dress code. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are seen together at the meeting. Trump is leaning forward, often using his hands, while Zelensky sits slightly back, serious and listening intently.
Trump’s body language reflects confidence. He seemed to be controlling the meeting, while the Ukrainian President was alert and lost in his own thoughts. There was a reason for this also. He had reached out to America with the hope of getting Tomahawk missiles, but the deal could not be done. There were many reasons. Trump’s talk with Putin and his open warning was a big reason. Although the US claimed that they needed it for their country.
The message was clear that cooperation exists, but the unequal balance of power is evident. The US is strategically setting the tone, and Ukraine has to balance the conditions for receiving support. There was less friendship and more strategy.
The meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 also remained at the center of discussion. Trump had arrived with the deal for Ukraine Peace Plan. Both appeared in front of the camera but their smiles were limited. From the airport to the Alaska Summit, the body language of both was almost the same. A picture of Joint PC was much discussed. In this, Putin is facing the press and Trump is seen going from behind. Here Putin is standing self-controlled and straight, while Trump’s expressions show that the end was not as it had started. This happened and a peace agreement could not be reached.
There were many messages. For example, despite conflict and distrust, the door to dialogue will remain open. There was less friendship in this and more strategy.
The world was also keeping an eye on the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Tianjin on 31 August 2025. This was the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference, where the heads of state of two powerful countries were seen standing together on a platform in a comfortable manner. The style of both was friendly. Putin and Jinping stood straight. Smile controlled and body language absolutely normal.
The message was simple. Russia and China are publicly showing strength as strategic partners. This picture was indicating the creation of an alternative power center despite the multipolar global order and Western pressures.
A meeting in 2025 between Trump and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu was much talked about. This is of 13 October 2025. During this time President Trump reached Israel. He addressed the Knesset, the parliament there. Some interesting pictures were captured by the camera during this journey. In these, Netanyahu was seen saying something in Trump’s ear. Many times Trump and Netanyahu were seen holding each other’s hands tightly.
The understanding between Trump and ‘Bibi’ (Trump calls Netanyahu by this name) was clearly visible. Showed that partnership exists, there is trust too. US leadership has been clear, while Netanyahu has appeared careful to garner international support.
By December, the amazing picture of 2025 was that of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During Putin’s visit to India, the picture clicked of both of them sitting in the same car created an uproar at the global level. The love, respect and trust of an old friendship was visible in this photo from December 4, where Putin left his high security car and carpooled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This picture of both of them created a stir even in the US Parliament, where the MP clearly said that this picture tells a thousand words. In this, America’s distance from a good partner like India is clearly visible while its deep relationship with Russia is visible.
—
kr/
