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Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted Mozambican President Daniel Chapo during the official welcoming ceremony at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28, 2026. The Kremlin did not release photographs from the meeting, but Mozambique’s government shared an image showing Chapo significantly taller than Putin.
The Kremlin’s decision not to release certain images from the greeting has attracted attention on social media, resulting in the creation of memes that playfully reflect on the height disparity between Vladimir Putin and Daniel Chapo. Chapo expressed on social media that his visit to Moscow was an important step in strengthening relations between Mozambique and the Russian Federation during the ongoing 3rd Russia–Africa Summit.
The Kremlin decided not to release an image showing Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, suggesting a sensitivity regarding Putin’s stature. In response, Chapo’s government shared the photo, while social media users created memes and parodies, reflecting public amusement and criticism regarding the height difference.
What remains unclear — The Kremlin has not explained why they chose not to release the original photo showing both leaders.
Putin faces mockery for photo with Mozambique’s tall president Chapo
The Kremlin appears to have made a point not to share the photo (Picture: Reuters)
This is the picture Vladimir Putin didn’t want the world to see: the short Russian president greeting Mozambique’s towering president, Daniel Chapo, in Moscow.
The Kremlin seems to have made a point of not sharing the image, but Mozambique’s government released it.
Putin is known to be sensitive about his stature of just 5 ft 7 in, and he is rumoured to wear platform shoes to boost his height.
His counterpart in the photo, Chapo, is believed to be at least 6 ft 5 in or taller.
Kremlin official photographers were present at the greeting, but a decision was apparently taken not to release the ‘Lil Putin’ image.
Putin was dwarfed by the African leader (Picture: Reuters)
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A different version was released, shot from a lower angle – making Putin look taller – and cropping out both leaders’ legs.
Separate pictures and footage released by Mozambique show Chapo looming high over Putin at a session.
Chapo was also teased with memes on his social media for inflating Putin’s size.
One, showing an even smaller Putin, asked the Mozambican leader: ‘Why did you enlarge Putin in your photo? Here’s the original.’
Multiple parody images have emerged as well. One depicted Chapo as Lord of the Rings wizard Gandalf and the diminutive Kremlin leader as a barefoot hobbit.
One comment read: ‘Putin must feel very insecure, looking up.’
Another complained: ‘Shaking hand with mass murderer dwarf. Disgusting.’
Chapo said on his social media: ‘We are in Moscow, at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to participate in the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit.
‘This presence reflects the importance we attach to dialogue, cooperation, and strengthening relations between Mozambique, the Russian Federation, and African countries.’
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