Here's Putin rubbing his hands together after addressing Ukraine's president at peace talks

Amanda Macias

Feb 12, 2015, 02:04 IST

Poroshenko and Putin shake hands.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his Russian counterpart reluctantly shook hands before sitting together with Germany's Merkel and France's Hollande to broker a deal on Ukraine in Minsk, Belarus, on Wednesday.

Since the fight began 10 months ago in east Ukraine, more than 5,300 people have died, the AP reports. Ukraine blames Russia for the conflict after annexing the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea last March. All the while, Putin continues to deny arming pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine or sending in Russian troops.

REUTERS

Western leaders have demanded the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine as well as respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territory.

Germany's Merkel makes the introduction after Putin arrives and speaks briefly with Hollande and the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Handout ./REUTERS

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel introduces Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko in Minsk, February 11, 2015.

And it seems clear that Putin is enjoying the awkward atmosphere created by Russia's aggression.

RT/Amanda Macias/Business Insider

Putin and Poroshenko shake hands.

Here is a video of the full interaction:

All things considered, Putin is looking comfortable as Poroshenko has to watch his own back:

Vasily Fedosenko/REUTERS

Ukraininan President Petro Poroshenko (L) looks back, followed by Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) after a meeting in Minsk, February 11, 2015.

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