Putin ‘calls for consideration’ as he ‘asserts authority’ to US envoy – physique language skilled
EXCLUSIVE: Vlad the invader met with a US delegation on Tuesday evening to discuss a plan to bring an end to his bloody and brutal war in Ukraine and made sure he asserted his authority
Mad Vlad Putin “slapped his hand” to demand attention and “assert his authority” during peace talks with US diplomats in Moscow, a body language expert has said.
Each side exchanged pleasantries as they took their seats before the despot is seen in a video shared by the Russian Embassy slapping the table as a Kremlin delegation met with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner.
Body language expert Inbaal Honigman said this was a deliberate move on his part to prove he is the dominant player in the meeting.
She told the Daily Star: “He places one of his hands on the table in front of him, with an audible slap! This is a demand for attention. With that, Putin asserts his authority in the room. He is in charge.”
In the brief clip, Putin, Witkoff and Kushner are all seen initially with their hands under the table. Inbaal said it appeared as if they were “keeping their cards hidden” during the meeting until Putin pierces the silence.
Speaking to the Daily Star on behalf of Covers.com, she said: “There’s a secretive element to the way all three sit the same way – especially considering that everyone else’s hands at the table are visible. Kushner shuffles uneasily in his chair, he’s more nervous than the others.”
Inbaal added: “For the next minute or so, we see Putin’s one hand on the table, placed in front of the Russian Premier, creating a more welcoming gesture, as he engages his guests with small talk about the beauty of Moscow.
“Putin’s small talk is emphatic, his one exposed hand does a lot of the communicating. He uses his hand to emphasise his words, while his left hand remains still and out of sight.
“This is reminiscent of the way Putin walks, with one hand always ready for anything, like a gunslinger. We can see the hand of the former KGB agent, repeatedly flexing and relaxing, which shows a certain amount of anxiety on his part, too.”
Earlier in Dublin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed he would “react according to the results” once he had heard back from the US following today’s talks.
Asked whether he has plans to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff – currently sat opposite Putin in the Kremlin – in the coming days, Zelenskyy said he would be welcome in Kyiv “if we can count on real specific dialogue not just words”.
And in a social media post, Zelensky said: “If the signals work as fair play with our partners, then maybe we will meet with the American delegation very quickly,” he says this evening.
“I am ready to receive all the signals, ready to meet with President Trump. Everything depends on today’s conversations.”
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