MyMemeCards editorial team
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Sarkozy after Putin” is an epic card of the French Politics pack, number 88 of the collection, and the 32nd best-known meme of its 127 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Sarkozy after Putin” meme mean?
The image suggests confusion or intoxication following an intense interaction. It is used to mock someone appearing disoriented or out of breath after a political or social encounter, playing on the ambiguity between exhaustion and alcohol.
Where does the “Sarkozy after Putin” meme come from?
The footage was recorded on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. Nicolas Sarkozy appears breathless and giggling during an international press conference, immediately after his meeting with Vladimir Putin. He apologizes for being late, blaming the length of his "dialogue" with Putin. The major media broadcast occurred on Friday, June 8, 2007, in the news program "6 minutes" on La Deux (RTBF). Presenter Éric Boever introduced the clip by stating that Sarkozy "had not drunk only water." This insinuation created the humorous context. The Belgian channel later issued an official apology through the journalist. The exact origin of the first online upload remains unknown, but the clip circulated widely thereafter.
- 2007-06-07Sarkozy filmed breathless after his meeting with Putin at the G8 in Heiligendamm.
- 2007-06-08Broadcast of the RTBF commentary hinting he had drunk during the "6 minutes" news show.
How to use the “Sarkozy after Putin” meme
- Use the image to mock someone arriving late and disoriented after a heated meeting.
- Reference the video to ironically illustrate a confused explanation given at the end of a night out.
- Quote Boever's line to highlight doubt about the real motives behind strange behavior.
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The “Sarkozy after Putin” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 088 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | French Politics pack |
| Fame | 85/100 · #32 of 127 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Sarkozy after Putin” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Sarkozy after Putin comes out of the French Politics pack as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art 0.8%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Sarkozy after Putin”
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Frequently asked questions
Why was Sarkozy breathless?
He claimed it was due to the length of his meeting with Putin. Some reports suggest he ran up stairs, though this is not universally confirmed.
Who said Sarkozy had been drinking?
RTBF presenter Éric Boever implied he had not just drunk water during the June 8, 2007 news broadcast.
When did the G8 summit take place?
The summit was held in Heiligendamm, Germany, on June 6 and 7, 2007.
How do I get the Sarkozy after Putin meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Sarkozy after Putin” is an epic card of the French Politics pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Sarkozy after Putin card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Menus propos autour d'une ivresse sarkosyenne · Alkohol-Gerüchte: Sarkozys bizarrer G-8-Auftritt · VIDÉO - "Si tu continues, je t'écrase" : l'échange glaçant entre Poutine et Sarkozy en 2007 · checked on October 8, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.