Isolated Putin left at Beijing's mercy as his disastrous war backfires
Vladimir Putin infamously kept Queen Elizabeth II waiting for 14 minutes during a state visit in 2003. Officials at the Palace were already nervous. The Russian President was notoriously tardy, in future years showing up late to meetings with former US Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and even keeping the Pope waiting for almost an hour.
Some believed he wouldn't dare do that to a monarch. But when the delay materialised, then home secretary David Blunkett - and his guide dog - were audibly annoyed.
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How the tables have turned. The man who often left his ex-wife waiting for hours when they started dating was himself standing alone on Thursday. The offender was no monarch or Holy See, but the President of Kyrgyzstan. Sadyr Japarov, the leader of the world's 142nd biggest economy, isn't exactly a household name.
The moment was captured on camera, Putin awkwardly shuffling his cue cards around as he stood waiting for Japarov to eventually saunter into shot. If there was any doubt over Putin's place in the current world order, this excruciating 45 seconds proved that the Russian bear is wounded.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/isolated-putin-left-beijings-mercy-050000702.html
