A TOP body language expert has revealed how Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump tried to out macho each other during their meeting in Alaska.
The US President greeted his Russian counterpart on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Air Base on Friday.
The pair went on to address the world in a brief press conference and negotiate with their teams in private.
Putin looked relaxed as he walked down a red carpet towards Trump – giving the US leader a thumbs-up before greeting him with a warm handshake.
Both of them then shared a moment alone in Trump’s presidential limo – known as The Beast – before posing for journalists during a chaotic photocall.
Their public engagements were scrutinized with great detail, not only to uncover the diplomatic results of their significant meeting, but also to analyze the dynamics between the two leaders.
A leading body language specialist revealed to The Sun that Trump and Putin aimed to showcase their egos in a “frenzy” moment to project themselves as the world’s most influential individuals.
Darren Stanton, dubbed the Human Lie Detector, explained that Putin and Trump were mimicking each other’s “power gestures” in a demonstration of strength to exhibit confidence and authority.
There were also subtle signs showing Trump was trying to look stronger than Vlad.
Mr Stanton said: “Both men displayed what we call the reverse steeple gesture, which is used to convey power and authority.”
The “reverse steeple” is the distinctive triangular hand gesture
“Both Putin and Trump are Alpha males and fully aware of what these gestures mean. Both men are trying to convey confidence, being self-assured.
“They used the signs to express, ‘I will not be pushed around. I am the most dominant person here’.
“Both Putin and Trump replicate and reflect each other’s gestures and actions. Putin is the sole politician upon whom Trump does not use his complete strategy of belittling, intimidating, and portraying as weak. He consistently approaches Putin on equal footing.
“But there were signs that Trump was trying to look stronger and also trying to be subtle.”
He added that Trump’s hero welcome of Putin will likely rattle America’s European allies and Zelensky.
Mr Stanton added: “Zelensky will not be happy about the way Trump welcomed Putin.
“The fact that Trump pulled all the stops and gave him a grand welcome.”
The expert said Trump showed a mutual respect for Putin, and both leaders had a genuine smile on their faces despite all the side issues.
This was seen when the US leader lightly applauded his Russian counterpart as he approached him on the tarmac.
And later when he “gently patted” his hand – a symbolic gesture of familiarity and friendliness.
Trump also broke from his usual approach as the pair shook hands, opting to have his hand under Putin’s.
But then he took control – patting Putin on the back in a display of dominance.
Body language specialist Patty Ann Wood stated to Newsweek: “Trump usually prefers placing his hand on top, but in this instance, he seems to have offered his palm upward—a less dominant, more submissive stance—implying he regards Putin as stronger.”
While Trump showed initial deference to the Russian leader, he followed up the handshake with a pat on Putin’s back.
Ms Wood said this is a subtle “sign of dominance” and it symbolically says “I could strike you if I wanted to.”
When the pair sat down for questions from journalists, pleasantries turned to chaos as the press pool began throwing tough questions at Putin.
One of the journalists asked: “How can the US trust your word? Will you stop killing?”
Smirking Putin then appeared to shout over the journalists before the camera was forced to cut away.
He appeared baffled as journalists quizzed him over the slaughter in Ukraine.
At one stage, he pointed to his ear to indicate he couldn’t hear.
But body language expert Dr. Beth Dawson said this was actually a sign of the leader not wanting to answer the difficult question.
She commented to the NY Post: “His gaze is downward, his mouth is turned downwards… It doesn’t appear to be a genuine, ‘Okay, what are you saying? I can’t hear you. Could you repeat it, please?’.”
The world now awaits what will happen next – with Ukraine’s Zelensky due to visit the White House on Monday.
