Putin and Xi's 'diehard' bodyguards break the internet with brief exchange

A clip of Russian President Vladimir Putin's and Chinese President Xi Jinping's bodyguards breaking their tough demeanour for a brief exchange has gone viral.

The footage shows one of Putin’s bodyguards awkwardly approaching Xi’s bodyguard on Friday, exchanging a glance, a smile, and a nod, which was reciprocated.

The internet went wild, with many joking this brief encounter did more for international relations than expensive diplomacy.

X users turned the encounter into a viral meme, debating “who would win in a fight".

“The Chinese bodyguard looks more diehard. Will give it to him," one user said.

It comes as a hug between President Putin and President Xi sparked a bitter response from the US, highlighting fears over China-Russia cooperation amid the Ukraine conflict.

The two leaders met in China to discuss forming a stabilising force amid rising geopolitical tensions.

[MarvinChenFantasy]

Russians : fk NATO?
Chinese : fk NATO.

[juliannakaberovsky]

This is how real man recognize and salute another real one!👍✊💪

[alexanderjentes]

A simple nod of understanding and camaraderie is worth more than gold.

[somalianokingkonghimself]

Real man recognize real man all I have to say 🇨🇳💪🇷🇺

[daphneyapian]

White house is so afraid of this meeting

[nickpope]

Russians and Chinese are so awesome!!!! Love and

[PatriciaFreddy]

Wow, how low can Sky News Australia get. A harmless nod between body guards and yet still try to make this a negative thing. sigh...pathetic.

[laniethosea]

Leaders are friends so are the bodyguards 💪💪

[johnnylim]

Meanwhile Biden bodyguards main job is to escort Biden to the toilet every half hour. They even have to help him unzip his pants. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[bserver]

That perfectly show that two men can perfectly understand each other with simple nods of their heads.

[Fugitive]

We have a saying in America “ real recognizes real”

[mannogroneg]

I guarantee you Xi's bodyguard is the best of the best, he's like Jackie Chan and Jet Li in one.

[LeadLeftLeon]

When you finally meet someone like you

[jamessmithers]

✅Why are so many Americans and Europeans so bitter about the success of the Russian and Chinese peoples❓

[zoom]

Sky is out of lies, so they pick this nonsense to create news🤣🤣🤣

[apollobrown]

RED BROTHERS...
One love from Africa.

[Vermilion]

This simple exchange summed up the China Russian relationship

[almahilum]

Rest of the world EU and US is jealous

[lc]

The West: this is concerning………😂😂😂😂😂😂

[kidsoxoxox]

just doing their job, and doing it with mutual respect. Isn't that how international relations are suppose to work?