The long-awaited Putin-Macron handshake is finally here

When Russian President Vladimir Putin made his appearance at the Palace of Versailles Monday to meet with France's newly-elected leader, Emmanuel Macron, all eyes were on the handshake.

Macron made headlines this past week for his white-knuckled handshake-off with President Trump when the two first met. Trump, who had gained a reputation for his tug-and-pull handshake, had his hand gripped by the French leader.

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The moment immediately went viral.

Macron later said that he came prepared for the physical exchange.

Although the president leaned in first, he was seen trying to release his hand from Macron's firm grip, twice. Macron told a local French outlet that his famous handshake with Trump ahead of the NATO Summit in Brussels was "a moment of truth."

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Macron explained that "my handshake with him, it wasn't innocent," later adding: "One must show that you won't make small concessions, even symbolic ones, but also not over-publicize things, either."

Macron's long-awaited, 7-second handshake that took place with Putin Monday, however, was more perfunctory in comparison.

For those who were waiting to see what the France-Russia showdown would look like, it was slightly unremarkable.