An unexpected moment unfolded at an international forum in Turkmenistan when Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was observed waiting for a considerable time to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reports and video footage indicate that after a 40-minute wait, Sharif, accompanied by his Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, proceeded to enter a room where Putin was engaged in a closed-door discussion with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sharif was seen standing in the presence of the two leaders during their talks. This incident occurred on the sidelines of the International Forum for Peace and Trust, an event marking 30 years of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. The forum in Ashgabat saw participation from leaders across various nations, including Putin, Erdoğan, and Sharif. Online reactions to the footage have been largely critical, with some social media users interpreting the event as a diplomatic misstep and criticizing the perceived prolonged wait. Meanwhile, Putin and Erdoğan held separate substantial discussions, reportedly touching upon the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while also affirming the strong and developing bilateral relations between Russia and Turkey, which they noted were resilient to external pressures.
