A video of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif fumbling with his translation headset during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing has circulated widely on social media.
The incident took place on September 2, when Sharif attempted to put on the earpiece but faced difficulty, prompting Putin to smile and demonstrate how to wear it correctly. Clips of the exchange quickly spread online, drawing comparisons with a similar episode in 2022.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Uzbekistan that year, Sharif had also struggled with his earphones during a bilateral meeting with Putin, leaving the Russian leader amused.
Awkward summit moments
Sharif has previously attracted attention for his conduct at international gatherings. During the 2022 SCO Summit photo session, he was seen rushing forward to shake hands with Putin, who eventually reciprocated, while Chinese President Xi Jinping declined the gesture.
Despite such awkward moments, Sharif has consistently underlined Pakistan’s wish to deepen relations with Moscow. He has praised Russia’s longstanding ties with India, described Putin as «a great leader» and stressed his government’s interest in closer cooperation.
Both leaders later attended a large-scale military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the Second World War. Putin also held separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during the event.
