It was an eventful week in Europe, to say the least, as the world watched foreign leaders from across the globe meet at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. All eyes seemed to be on Donald Trump as he made his second trip to Europe as president of the United States.
The week was filled with highs and lows, both for international relations and for Donald Trump’s image around the world. His visit elicited mixed reactions from leaders and citizens across Europe.
Warm welcome in Poland
President Trump was very warmly received in Warsaw, Poland, by conservative President Andrzej Duda and the citizens of Poland.
His speech seemed to resonate among the thousands who gathered to hear him speak. He reiterated the U.S.’s strong bond with Poland since World War II as he spoke, as well as the resilience of both nations in the face of terrorism and other threats.
He also addressed Russian meddling in the U.S. 2016 presidential election at a press conference, although not by affirming Russia’s involvement. He instead suggested that other countries could have been involved in the meddling.
Fiery protests in Germany
Thousands of protesters who opposed the upcoming G20 summit clustered near the summit venue in Hamburg, Germany, for the Welcome to Hell march on Thursday. They were met with water cannons fired by German riot police as the protesters hurled bottles and smoke bombs, set fire to different items, including cars, and broke several store windows.
76 officers were hurt, CNN reports, including one who sustained a serious eye injury when a firework was set off nearby.
Trump’s first-ever meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin
The United States, among other countries around the world, appeared to collectively hold its breath as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met for the very first time.
The meeting was much anticipated by both leaders. Trump voiced that it was “an honor” to meet with Putin, and Putin expressed that he was “delighted” as well.
Their meeting, originally scheduled to last 35 minutes, lasted over two hours, according to the State Department. Both Trump and Putin were vague about matters they discussed privately, but each stated that they felt very positively about the meeting and the future for both countries.
To no one’s surprise, Trump didn’t hesitate to hurl a Twitter jab towards the Clinton camp before his meeting with Putin, this time targeting John Podesta, former White House chief of staff and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman during the 2016 election.
In a clear reference to the email scandals that embroiled Clinton’s presidential run, Trump claimed that everyone in attendance at the G20 summit was talking about why Podesta wouldn’t give the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC’s) server to the FBI and the CIA. The tweet was seen by many as misleading since Podesta never worked for the DNC and therefore had no access to their servers. This was reiterated by Podesta in a series of response tweets.
Everyone here is talking about why John Podesta refused to give the DNC server to the FBI and the CIA. Disgraceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2017
World leaders embrace Paris climate agreement- except Trump
The last day of the G20 summit included talks on climate change and the Paris Climate Agreement. 19 members of the G20 summit will go forward with the agreement, leaving the United States as the only country at the summit that didn’t commit. Notable amid talks was the clear frustration over Trump’s refusal to comply with the agreement, especially from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She stated at a press conference that she deplored Trump’s decision and warned of its “irreversible” consequences.
British Prime Minister Theresa May also strongly disagreed with Trump’s decision, saying that she urged him to reconsider, CNN reports.
