Who Would Have Imagined? Putin’s Witty Exchange with Malaysia’s PMX
Few would expect the often-stern President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to engage in light-hearted banter with Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
During an official visit to the Kremlin, President Putin pointed to three imperial thrones and inquired:
“One for the Tsar, one for his wife. Who is the third for?”
With effortless composure, Prime Minister Anwar replied:
“For the second wife.”
Laughter filled the hall—including from President Putin himself. Prime Minister Anwar promptly clarified that his remark was a spontaneous jest; in fact, the third throne was intended for the Tsar’s mother. President Putin nodded in agreement and commended Anwar as a “true Muslim.”
More Than Mere Levity
This brief exchange dissolved formality and revealed the personable side of both leaders. Amid a tense international climate, such moments serve as symbols of hope and mature diplomacy.
Substantive Dialogue Continued
Prime Minister Anwar proceeded to address substantive issues—trade, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, education, and the MH17 tragedy—reiterating Malaysia’s enduring principles of justice, peace, and non-alignment. President Putin, in turn, endorsed Malaysia’s prospective participation in BRICS, a significant step toward a multipolar world order, and accepted an invitation to visit Malaysia for the forthcoming ASEAN Summit.
The Takeaway
In an often-volatile world, humor and a smile can pave the way for diplomacy. As PMX observes, a spontaneous response may become the key to international relations.
Comments
Post a Comment