Breaking the ice! The Obamas host Nordic leaders at star-studded state dinner after a show of unity against Putin's aggression
President Obama and the First Lady have welcomed five Nordic leaders to the White House for a lavish state dinner after earlier putting on a show of unity against Vladimir Putin's recent military aggression in the Baltics.
The Obamas first welcomed Icelandic Prime Minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson - who has only been in charge of his country for a month - and his wife Ingibjorg Elsa Ingjaldsdottir as they arrived at the North Portico of the White House.
They were swiftly followed by the prime ministers of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, who were also invited to the unusual - if a little crowded - meeting.
The dinner will send a strong statement to Russia, who the five heads of state earlier slammed for its military buildup - including the buzzing of a U.S. warship near Kaliningrad - as they called for economic sanctions against Moscow to be maintained.Michelle Obama dazzled in a Naeem Khan off the shoulder gown and finished the look with gold jewelry and a wispy chignon as the guests arrived.
Usually the First Lady opts for a dress made by a designer from the visiting country, but with five heads of state to please, she instead went for the Indian designer.
The president accidentally stepped on his wife's dress as they made their entrance, but she still looked impeccable.Obama and Prime Minister Johannsson both wore black tuxedos to the dinner, which was originally meant to be attended by former Icelandic leader Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, who resigned following protests over his tax arrangements that were exposed in the Panama Papers scandal.
Also at the glitzy dinner were Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.
As the leaders arrived, the Obamas stood outside to greet them, flanked by an honor guard.
But the flags the guardsman held had to be quickly changed five times to avoid the wrong one being flown as each leader arrived.
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