Viral Video Captures Awkward Moment Between Macron and Turkey's First Lady at NATO Summit
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A brief interaction between French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdoğan at a NATO summit has gone viral online.
- Video footage shows Macron appearing to attempt a hand kiss, which Erdoğan seemingly deflects, sparking widespread online discussion.
- The incident, along with a longer handshake between Macron and President Erdoğan, has generated millions of views and varied interpretations.
A fleeting moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdoğan at a NATO summit has captured global attention, rapidly spreading across social media and amassing millions of views. The brief interaction, captured on video during an official greeting, shows Macron approaching Erdoğan and taking her hand. At one point, he leans in, seemingly to kiss her hand, but Erdoğan appears to withdraw her wrist, and the greeting continues without further incident.
This several-second exchange has ignited a flurry of comments and interpretations online. Some users attribute the moment to an awkward protocol lapse, while others suggest a misunderstanding stemming from differing cultural and religious customs. The video has been widely shared across various platforms, drawing significant attention from users worldwide.
Shortly after this encounter, cameras also recorded Macron's handshake with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This interaction lasted a few moments longer than typical and also sparked considerable reaction on social media. The juxtaposition of these two moments has fueled online debate about diplomatic etiquette and cultural nuances in international relations.
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.