Putin ‘humiliates’ Trump as he makes him wait an hour for call on Ukraine, Internet calls it ‘brutal’

WASHINGTON, DC: Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly humiliated President Donald Trump by keeping him waiting an hour for a phone call on Tuesday, March 18, reported the Daily Beast.

As per the publication, Putin was speaking to industrialists at a conference in Moscow at the time when the call was scheduled. A clip went viral on social media platform X, which showed him smilingly dismissing queries on his being late for the highly anticipated phone call.

The two leaders did have a conversation later in the day, but there was no agreement on a temporary pause in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

What did Trump and Putin discuss during the phone call?

The White House stated that Trump and Putin stayed on call for nearly two hours on Tuesday, noting, “Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace."

"The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire, and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.”

According to the Kremlin, Putin and Trump agreed for Russia and Ukraine to stop strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, the Russian President insisted peace was only possible if it was “comprehensive, sustainable and long-term.”

Putin did have conditions of his own for the agreement proposed over the call. Most significant among them is Russia’s demand for a “complete cessation” of foreign military and intelligence aid to Kyiv.

Internet claims Putin making Trump wait was a 'power play'

Netizens reacting to the viral clip of Vladimir Putin dismissing worries about being late for a phone call with Donald Trump claimed it was a 'brutal' power play. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"Making leaders wait is an old Putin power play. But, this is pretty brutal. Putin is publicly mocking Trump," wrote a user.

"It seems there is a Russian custom of showing 'who's boss' by making the other side wait before a scheduled meeting," noted another.

"Let me translate this. It's a power play by Putin. He knows he can be 5 hours late and Trump will still wait without one bad word," jibed a third.

"For any other leader, Trump would be outraged at being forced to wait. A clear power play and insult, especially in such a planned and public matter," stated a fourth.

"Make your opponent wait an hour for an arranged call, don't agree to the ceasefire, stop Ukrainians to hit russian refineries as a bonus and hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure an hour after the call .. guess Putin read 'the art of the deal', too bad no one read it to trump," chided a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online