Putin's Power Move? Trump on Hold for Two Hours
Donald Trump, a leader who built his brand on dominance and deal-making, just got a taste of his own medicine — courtesy of Vladimir Putin. In a move dripping with power-play tactics, the Russian president reportedly kept Trump waiting for almost two hours before a scheduled phone call. Was this a calculated humiliation, a psychological flex, or just classic Putin indifference to protocol? Either way, the message was loud and clear: in the high-stakes game of global politics, even Trump isn't immune to a little waiting-room humiliation.
A Call Delayed, A Message Sent
The highly anticipated call between Trump and Putin was meant to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, but before the conversation even began, the Russian leader made headlines. Donald Trump was left waiting for over an hour for his scheduled call with Vladimir Putin, as the Russian leader prioritized addressing a gathering of business elites in Moscow. According to reports, Putin brushed off concerns about running late, joking that it was his spokesperson's job to announce the call time but not necessarily his job to follow it. "Don't listen to him! That's his job," Putin quipped, as reported by MSN.
According to MSN, observers noted that Putin's relaxed demeanor and apparent disregard for punctuality added to the spectacle, with even one of his former deputies questioning, "Now we need to see what Trump says about this..."
The Russian president eventually departed for the Kremlin well past the announced schedule, leaving Trump in an uncomfortable waiting game that some critics saw as a calculated power move.
The White House Reacts
Initially, the White House downplayed the delay, stating that the call began at 2:59 p.m. UK time, indicating a delay of nearly two hours, making it difficult to ignore the optics of Putin seemingly asserting dominance before even picking up the phone, according to the Economic Times.
Trump's reaction was measured, at least publicly. On his Truth Social account, he emphasized the "progress" made during the conversation, stating, "Many elements of a final agreement have been agreed to, but much remains," as reported by NBC News. He stopped short of criticizing Putin for the delay.
A History of Power Moves
This isn't the first time Putin has left world leaders waiting. The Russian president has a long history of using tardiness as a tactic. Former U.S. envoys, French President Emmanuel Macron, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II have all reportedly endured Putin's delays. It's a well-documented strategy — one designed to remind counterparts of where power lies in the conversation.
For Trump, the situation is complicated by his past praise of Putin. Despite widespread criticism, Trump has frequently called the Russian leader "genius" and "savvy," according to Politico. The optics of this delay, then, are particularly damaging. For someone who built a brand on projecting strength, being left waiting by a leader he has openly admired does little to reinforce that image.
Did Putin Gain the Upper Hand?
The call itself focused on Ukraine, with Trump seeking a broad 30-day ceasefire. While Kyiv was reportedly on board, Putin refused to commit beyond limiting attacks on energy infrastructure, as reported by the Economic Times. This concession — while touted as a small victory — was seen by many as a way for Putin to give Trump just enough to claim progress while offering little in return.
Within an hour of the call ending, Russia launched another wave of attacks on Ukraine's energy grid in Sloviansk. Whether this was a deliberate response to the negotiations or simply a continuation of military operations remains unclear, but it further undermined any perception of a diplomatic breakthrough.
What Comes Next?
With Trump facing both domestic and international challenges, his handling of Putin will be closely watched. The delay and the lack of a significant agreement could reinforce criticism that Trump is too eager to accommodate Moscow. His political opponents are already seizing on the moment to paint him as weak in the face of Putin's maneuvering.
For Putin, the move appears calculated. By making Trump wait, he subtly reminded the world who was in control of the conversation. Whether this will impact future U.S. - Russia relations remain to be seen, but one thing is certain: Putin knows exactly what he's doing, and Trump may have just learned that the hard way.
References: Trump humiliated as Putin keeps US President 'waiting over an hour' | Donald Trump humiliated by Vladimir Putin? Russian President delays telephone call by nearly 2 hours | Trump's humiliating call with Putin | Trump calls Putin 'genius' and 'savvy' for Ukraine invasion | Trump and Putin begin laying groundwork for a ceasefire in Ukraine as Russia agrees not to attack energy targets
