Viral Video Claiming PM Shehbaz Forced Meeting with Putin Debunked as Propaganda
Islamabad: A viral video on social media suggesting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attempted to forcefully enter a closed-door meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkmenistan has been proven false. The video was initially circulated by Indian media, but later deleted after being recognized as misleading.
The short 14-second clip, first shared by RT India’s X account, showed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sitting on a chair with a Pakistani flag, while the chair beside him, marked with the Russian flag, remained empty. The video claimed that after waiting for approximately forty minutes, the Prime Minister allegedly barged into the room where Putin and Erdogan were meeting.
However, hours later, RT India removed the post, admitting that the video and accompanying caption did not accurately reflect the events. The deletion clarified that the depiction of the incident was incorrect and incomplete.
Russian Pres Vladimir Putin made Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif wait for 40 mins. Sharif then decided to gate crash Putin’s meeting with Erdogan.
Hurting Putin’s ego is not a good idea. And Erdogan is Pak ke mai baap. Aukat bhool gaye Pak PM. pic.twitter.com/MEsaXzXFCt
— Yusuf Unjhawala 🇮🇳 (@YusufDFI) December 12, 2025
The video was recorded during an international forum held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, marking 30 years of the country’s permanent neutrality—a United Nations-recognized policy established on December 12, 1995. Such forums naturally involve multiple meetings, scheduling delays, and strict security protocols, which can affect leaders’ movements.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did meet with President Putin, with the handshake and official interaction becoming a topic of social media discussion. In addition, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the presidents of Turkey, Turkmenistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The Prime Minister’s Office subsequently released official statements detailing these meetings.
12دسمبر کو روس کے صدر ولادیمیر پوتن نے اشک آباد میں پاکستان کے وزیرِ اعظم شہباز شریف سے ملاقات کی۔
یہ ملاقات امن اور اعتماد کے بین الاقوامی سال، بین الاقوامی یومِ غیر جانبداری اور ترکمانستان کی مستقل غیر جانبداری کی تیسویں سالگرہ کے موقع پر منعقدہ فورم کی سائیڈ لائنز پر ہوئی۔ pic.twitter.com/AT4uzOjwoe
— Embassy of Russia in Pakistan (@RusEmbPakistan) December 12, 2025
Based on available information and the later clarification by RT India, it is confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not attempt to forcefully enter any closed-door meeting, and the initial viral video was misleading propaganda.
