British PM David |
Hopes for a positive G20 summit crumbled today as President Obama blurted to Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a joint press appearance, “Everyone here thinks you’re a jackass.”
The press corps appeared stunned by the uncharacteristic outburst from Mr. Obama, who then unleashed a ten-minute tirade at the stone-faced Russian President.
Continuing, as Mr. Putin narrowed his eyes in frosty silence, Mr. Obama seemed to warm to his topic.
“If you think I’m the only one who feels this way, you’re kidding yourself,” Mr. Obama said, jabbing his finger in the direction of the Russian President’s face. “Ask Angela Merkel. Ask David Cameron. Ask the Turkish guy. Every last one of them thinks you’re a dick.”
Shortly after Mr. Obama’s volcanic performance, Mr. Putin released a terse official statement, reading, “I should be afraid of this skinny man? I wrestle bears.” Sounds like a joke, as it could well be.
Later Obama had a one on one close doors meeting with President Putin. According to news.com.au, President Obama described his interaction with Putin as “businesslike and blunt” and said Russia now faces a choice over which path to take.
“If he continues down the path he is on, violating international law, providing heavy arms to the separatists in Ukraine, violating an agreement he agreed to just a few weeks ago ... then the isolation Russia is currently experiencing will continue.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Britain’s David Cameron who described the issue as a “test of stamina” and political will.
“President Putin is at a crossroads,” he said. “If he continues to destabilise Ukraine then there will be further sanctions, further measures and there will be a completely different relationship between European countries and the United States on one hand and Russia on the other.”
In it's own report the nypost said the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper shook Putin’s hand and offered a stern statement: “I have only one thing to say to you: you need to get out of Ukraine,” Harper said, according to his spokesman.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott reportedly called on Putin to “atone” for the shooting down of a Malaysian passenger jet over rebel-held eastern Ukraine that killed nearly 300 people aboard. British Prime Minister David Cameron confronted Putin and warned Russia’s relationship with the West is at a “fork in the road” because of Ukraine.
Putin himself didn’t hang around to hear it. He gave a final press conference to Russian media telling them he had “very frank” discussions with the other leaders but would be leaving early for his long flight back to Moscow. The guy must be feeling the heat and the unfriendly environment and decided to flee before he gets more embarrassing comments.
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