Putin Keeps Trump Waiting for Over an Hour Before High-Stakes Ukraine Call

Russian President Vladimir Putin left U.S. President Donald Trump waiting for more than an hour before their scheduled phone call on the Ukraine-Russia war.

Despite the delay, the two leaders eventually spoke for an hour and a half on Tuesday. However, Putin refused Trump’s request for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, agreeing only to limit attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, according to Bloomberg.

But on social media, the biggest takeaway wasn’t the call’s outcome—it was Putin’s deliberate snub.

Putin’s Power Move?

Ahead of the call, Putin was attending an event in Moscow, where he was filmed smirking when reminded he was running late. The Russian president was addressing industrialists and businessmen when the event’s host pointed out the upcoming call. Putin merely shrugged.

According to The Sun, he didn’t arrive at the Kremlin until 5 p.m.—an hour after the call was set to begin. The footage quickly went viral, with many online calling it a blatant humiliation for Trump.

Internet Reacts

“Making leaders wait is an old Putin power play. But this is pretty brutal,” one user on X remarked.

Another noted, “Putin shrugged off the call and kept Trump waiting. That’s not just a delay—it’s a power move.”

Some pointed out the more profound implications of Putin’s actions.

“Putin played Trump like a fiddle. No real ceasefire, just a minor concession on energy targets. He’s making it clear who’s in charge,” one post read.

As tensions in Ukraine escalate, the phone call’s substance may have mattered, but for many, Putin’s calculated delay spoke volumes.