I always wonder what people mean when they criticize a leader for “leading from behind”.  Leadership can be complicated and there is no one way to lead.  If one leads, does it really matter if one leads from behind or from the front unless it is about ego?  If you get what you want to you really need to get the credit?  Just as it is sometimes best to let someone believe your idea is theirs.  Is it not better to let the leader of Germany announce the cancellation of North Stream 2 instead of an American President?  The whole strategy of getting everyone on the same page with regard to sanctions means letting every country feel they have a say and not to bully them into what the United States wants.  President knew that, and how necessary it was since the Trump Presidency.