A well-known body-language analyst recently suggested that Donald Trump was the only global leader Vladimir Putin seemed to show genuine “mutual respect” for something that raises important questions, especially considering Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
While Western leaders, led strongly by President Joe Biden, continue to impose strict sanctions aimed at weakening Russia’s war machine including blocking Russian oil from U.S. markets Trump’s past interactions with Putin are once again being re-examined.
According to body-language expert Darren Stanton, the dynamic between Trump and Putin looked noticeably different from Putin’s interactions with other world leaders. Stanton points out that during their public appearances, the two often mirrored each other’s posture and gestures. He claims this unconscious mirroring can signal alignment, rapport, or a desire to project unity.
One example he highlights is the “power stance.” Putin frequently sits with his legs spread wide, a dominance signal often used by political figures, celebrities, and royalty. Stanton notes that Trump adopted this same pose whenever they met, reinforcing a shared projection of power rather than rivalry.
What makes this even more striking is Trump’s well-known “bone-crusher handshake,” a move he used on other leaders to assert dominance. Typically, Trump would grip firmly and pull the other person toward him a psychological tactic aimed at testing boundaries and control. Stanton says Trump never used this maneuver on Putin. Instead, their handshake remained neutral and unusually respectful by Trump’s standards.
This stands in contrast to Trump’s own recent statements, where he described Putin’s invasion strategy as “savvy” and “genius,” while also criticizing President Biden’s decisive sanctions and leadership during the crisis.
Meanwhile, the international community especially U.K. and U.S. allies continue to respond forcefully. The U.K.’s Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions against 386 members of Russia’s lower parliament for backing the recognition of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, widely seen as a manufactured justification for the invasion. These officials now face frozen assets and travel bans due to their support for what the U.K. describes as a “barbaric” attack on Ukraine.
The contrast is stark: while democratic leaders unite to hold Russia accountable, Trump’s past admiration for Putin and his unusually deferential body language continue to spark debate about where he truly stood and still stands on Russia’s aggression.
Comments
Post a Comment