A positive opening in negotiations is recommended; applause is not appropriate.President Trump gave Putin a formal red-carpet welcome, which included applause. This gesture has sparked debate about its effect on public opinion in Moscow and among Ukrainians affected by the war. Constructive negotiation matters, but applause is inappropriate and may even be risky here. There are no results yet; Trump will brief President Zelensky and EU leaders later on today. Putin appears to have gained at least a symbolic win.