Putin-Shehbaz Meeting / Fact Check: The Truth Behind Shehbaz Sharif's Viral 'Gatecrashing' Video at Putin Meeting

A video has been circulating widely on social media platforms, making a sensational claim about Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The video purportedly shows Sharif attempting to 'gatecrash' a private meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while this incident, as depicted in the viral footage, led to significant trolling of the Pakistani PM on social media, sparking international discussion and debate.

The Viral Claim Unpacked

The viral video originated from the International Trust Peace Forum held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. According to the claims accompanying the video, Shehbaz Sharif, along with his delegation, waited for approximately 40 minutes to join the meeting. When their entry wasn't facilitated, Sharif allegedly proceeded to another room where Putin and Erdogan were engaged in a private discussion, thus 'forcing' his way in. The video was initially shared by the Russian media channel RT India, quickly gaining traction and becoming a hot topic across various social media platforms. Many viewers interpreted Sharif's alleged actions as a breach of diplomatic. Protocol and a potential embarrassment for Pakistan on the international stage.

Debunking the Viral Narrative

However, the truth behind the viral claim turned out to be different from what was initially portrayed. Subsequent fact-check reports and a statement from RT India itself clarified that the video had been misrepresented. RT India promptly deleted its original video and post, issuing a statement acknowledging that the post 'could have misrepresented the events. ' Numerous other fact-checking organizations also concluded that there was no official confirmation or credible evidence to support the assertion that Shehbaz Sharif had indeed forced his way into a closed-door meeting, while this incident serves as another stark reminder of the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation in the digital age, where narratives can quickly spiral out of control based on unverified content.

Lack of Official Confirmation from Russia or Pakistan

Crucially, neither the Russian nor the Pakistani government has issued any official statement confirming the 'gatecrashing' incident. This absence of official corroboration further undermines the viral claim. According to reports from Pakistani media, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did hold separate bilateral meetings with both President Putin and President Erdogan, while these meetings reportedly covered a range of bilateral and regional issues, indicating normal diplomatic engagements. The Russian Embassy in Pakistan also shared a video of Sharif's meeting with Putin, depicting a cordial atmosphere between the two leaders, while Plus, Shehbaz Sharif also met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the forum, demonstrating his active participation in the event's diplomatic activities. These facts collectively suggest that the viral claim of a forced entry was unfounded and likely a misinterpretation of events.

Understanding the International Peace and Trust Forum

The International Peace and Trust Forum is a significant international platform dedicated to promoting global peace and fostering trust among nations. This forum brings together leaders, ministers, officials, experts, peace-related organizations, and representatives from the United Nations to engage in discussions, while the primary objective of these discussions is to explore strategies for establishing peace worldwide and enhancing mutual trust between countries. The forum aims to reduce tensions, encourage dialogue, and cultivate harmony among people globally. This event is typically organized when the United Nations dedicates a specific year to peace and trust. The year 2025 was designated by the UN as the 'International Year of Peace and Trust,' and it was in this context that the forum was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The participation of various world leaders at this forum underscores their commitment to global cooperation and the pursuit of lasting peace.

We deleted an earlier post about Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif waiting to meet Vladimir Putin at the Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan.

The post may have been a misrepresentation of the events.

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) December 12, 2025

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