The meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska did not proceed according to the original script set by the White House, reported The Guardian on August 16.

Previously, White House officials conveyed two contingency plans to the media: one was that if the talks went smoothly, a joint press conference would be held with journalists allowed to ask questions, showcasing the results and atmosphere of the meeting;

the other was that if the negotiations did not go smoothly, Trump would appear alone while Putin would be sent away directly, leaving Trump to face the press alone, thus avoiding an embarrassing situation.

This dual preparation reflects the White House's concerns about public messaging and risk management.

Trump urgently needed a diplomatic breakthrough, even if just a symbolic image, which could be converted into political capital domestically. However, the White House also understood that Trump might not be able to control Putin, so they had prepared a backup plan for Trump to conclude the meeting alone, ensuring that Putin would not take all the media spotlight.

This approach is essentially a means of managing public opinion, with both expectations to boost the president and a defensive design to cover possible failed meetings.

Putin and Trump

Media reporters also made corresponding preparations based on these two contingency plans.

Before the meeting, there was already a consensus among the group of accompanying journalists.

If it was a joint press conference, the focus of the report would be on how both sides released signals on the Ukraine issue and whether there was a chance for a ceasefire.

If Trump appeared alone, it meant the talks had hit a deadlock, and the focus of the report would shift to the breakdown and its subsequent impact.

Therefore, media professionals had prepared articles and question directions for different scenarios.

However, the actual situation caught the journalists off guard: Putin was not sent away, but instead took the stage first and gave a speech to the media.

This unexpected move rendered all previous scripts completely ineffective.

The journalists were momentarily unsure how to interpret it, as they couldn't ask questions, nor was it Trump alone, but rather a third scenario completely outside the预案.

Putin and Trump

Evidently, Putin took the initiative, neutralizing the White House's plan.

Putin didn't wait for Trump to speak, but seized the opportunity first.

Whoever speaks first can define the narrative, which is a basic logic in international politics.

Putin not only spoke first but also used his presence to dominate, guiding the atmosphere of the event towards his own defined path.

Trump responded briefly after Putin, clearly not in control of the situation.

The White House's original two-choice design aimed to demonstrate Trump's leadership, but it ended up being transformed into a third situation - Putin became the opening act and the core, while Trump became a supplementary role.

This reversal would visually and publicly make people perceive Putin as stronger and Trump as passive.

Putin and Trump

The situation at the press conference also revealed to some extent the outcome of their meeting.

After the meeting, both of their statements left the outside world confused.

Trump said the talks were "very productive," but at the same time emphasized "no agreement." He also stated he would call Zelenskyy and NATO allies, indicating that he had not sold out Ukraine's interests to Putin.

Putin, on the other hand, said the talks were conducted in a constructive atmosphere and claimed that both sides had reached some "understanding," but provided no details.

In short, there was no specific document visible to the outside world, no ceasefire timetable, and no roadmap.

Both seemed to be deliberately creating an atmosphere of progress, but in reality, there were no quantifiable results.

It seemed like they had talked, yet they hadn't really talked; it seemed like they had spoken, yet they hadn't really said anything.

This awkwardness of talking without really talking and speaking without fully speaking was the tone of this summit.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7538992772892607003/

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