New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin kept US President Donald Trump waiting for over an hour prior to their anticipated high-stakes phone conversation regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Vladimir Putin: KGB Career, Political Career, Controversies
Eventually, the two leaders engaged in a phone call lasting an hour and a half on Tuesday, during which Putin declined to grant the 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine that Trump and his team had requested, as reported by Bloomberg. Instead, Putin only consented to restrict attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
On social media, the outcome of the phone call received significantly less attention than the fact that Putin made Trump wait for more than sixty minutes.
Putin ‘humiliates’ Trump
Before the call, Putin attended an event where he was seen dismissing a reminder about his tardiness with laughter. According to The Sun, the Russian president was addressing industrialists and businessmen at an annual gathering in Moscow.
This event occurred just before his scheduled phone call with Trump, which was set between 4 PM and 6 PM Russian time on Tuesday.
Shortly after 4 PM, the host reminded Putin that he was running late for the call. The Russian president was captured on video smirking and shrugging in response. According to The Sun, he arrived at the Kremlin around 5 PM, an hour after the call was meant to start.
Footage of this incident circulated widely on social media.
Many perceived it as a ‘humiliation’ of Donald Trump and a demonstration of Putin’s dominance.
“Keeping leaders waiting is a classic Putin tactic. However, this was particularly harsh,” remarked one user on X.
“While addressing a room full of oligarchs, the host asks him if he’s going to be late. Putin simply shrugs. He has thoroughly embarrassed Donald Trump,” another user commented.
Some interpreted this as a clear signal of who was in control in this power dynamic.
“Putin manipulated Trump effortlessly! He has no intention of agreeing to a genuine ceasefire. He only accepts limitations on energy targets and seeks to prevent military and intelligence support for Ukraine, as well as Ukraine’s NATO membership,” noted a user on X.
