In politics, gestures carry as much weight as words—sometimes even more. The video shared on Imgur, showing Emmanuel Macron shaking hands with Volodymyr Zelensky while avoiding Donald Trump, went viral not just for the scene itself, but for everything it implies without saying a word.
A handshake, in diplomacy, is a silent treaty. It’s recognition, respect, legitimation. When Macron extends his hand to Zelensky—the face of Ukrainian resistance—he sends a clear message of support and solidarity. And when he refuses to do the same with Trump, it leaves a powerful silence in its wake: not every leadership deserves that recognition.
Beyond the gesture, deeper waters stir. Donald Trump’s administration was one of the most polarizing—not just within the United States, but globally. While he maintained a fiercely loyal base at home, he also faced unprecedented levels of disapproval across much of the world, especially in Western Europe. For many European leaders, Trumpism represented a retreat from long-held democratic values: respect for historical alliances, multilateral dialogue, environmental stewardship, among others.
In this context, Macron’s visible refusal wasn’t just personal; it was symbolic. It’s the tension between two worldviews: inward-looking nationalism versus pragmatic internationalism.
Body language, in this moment, becomes a high-voltage political language. No speeches, no shouting, no threats. Just a second of hesitation that says: “Not with you.”
And, as with all powerful gestures, each viewer will project their own meaning: for some, a sign of courage; for others, a breach of diplomatic etiquette. But either way, it’s a reminder that in global diplomacy, every glance, every step, every handshake—or lack thereof—can shape the narrative.
Because at the end of the day, on the stage of diplomacy, small gestures build—or topple—empires.