A Yelled Question, a Tiny Nod And Then All Hell Breaks Loose

US President Joe Biden’s tiny nod during a photo op Wednesday at his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin sent shockwaves in the already-troubled political community as those keeping a hawk’s eye on the developments began deconstructing the blink-and-you-missed-it head movement and what it could mean for the US-Russia relations.

Many said that it appeared to suggest that Biden can take Putin at his word even as the two countries parry around a myriad of issues. The nod came after a reporter shouted over colleagues to ask Biden whether Putin could be trusted.

It set off a flurry of media speculation had Biden just indicated a new level of trust about the man he days ago referred to as a worthy adversary?

Not so fast, the White House said.

U.S. Communications director Kate Bedingfield and press secretary Jen Psaki both said Biden wasn’t responding to a particular question during the chaotic moments when U.S. and Russian reporters shouted over each other and struggled to…