Putin dwarfed by 6ft 8in leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin was photographed standing next to Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo, who is 6ft 8in tall, at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Moscow. The meeting took place at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on a Tuesday.

Putin, who is reportedly 5ft 7in tall, has been known to take measures to conceal his height in public appearances. This has included using hidden high heels, controlled camera angles, and shorter bodyguards.

The height difference between the two leaders was noticeable, with Chapo towering over Putin. Yuri Shvets, a former classmate of Putin's, described him as an insecure man whose obsession with his short stature shaped his career and leadership style.

Putin appeared visibly uncomfortable sitting next to taller Western leaders like Angela Merkel and François Hollande at the 2015 Minsk negotiations. This insecurity has been noted on several occasions, with Putin taking steps to appear taller in public.

## Why it matters The incident highlights the perceived importance of physical appearance in leadership, particularly for Putin. His attempts to conceal his height have been ridiculed on social media, with people depicting Chapo as the Lord of the Rings wizard Gandalf and Putin as a barefoot hobbit.

The meeting between Putin and Chapo was a significant event, bringing together leaders from gas-exporting countries. However, the focus on their height difference has overshadowed the actual discussions and agreements made during the summit.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is a significant platform for countries to discuss and cooperate on gas-related issues. The summit in Moscow provided an opportunity for leaders to engage in dialogue and address common challenges. Despite the attention on Putin's height, the actual outcomes and discussions from the summit are crucial for the global energy landscape.