Trump And Putin Greet As ‘Old Friends’ In Alaska Summit: Body Language Expert
On Friday, Presidents Donald J. Trump and Vladimir Putin convened at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for their first face-to-face meeting in six years, with the ongoing war in Ukraine and U.S.–Russia economic collaboration being the primary topics of discussion.
The nearly three-hour summit concluded without a ceasefire agreement; however, Trump described the talks as “very productive,” indicating that there were “many points we agreed on” and “a couple of significant ones” that remain unresolved. Both leaders suggested that progress had been made but recognized that differences persist regarding the conditions of a potential peace framework, as reported by Newsweek.
The initial greeting between the two presidents on the tarmac garnered as much attention as the policy discussions. With cameras capturing the moment, Trump and Putin met on a red carpet, exchanged handshakes, and traveled together to the summit venue. Their gestures and body language were analyzed almost immediately, providing insights into the relationship between the leaders and how each aimed to convey strength, familiarity, and control.
Patty Ann Wood, a body language expert consulted by Newsweek, remarked that the interaction reflected a blend of deference, confidence, and subtle rivalry.
As Putin approached, Trump offered a light applause and stepped forward. “This demonstrates respect towards Putin,” Wood noted, emphasizing that Trump’s action deviated from his usual behavior of waiting to be acknowledged first.
During the handshake, Trump presented his palm facing upward instead of placing his hand on top, which is his typical approach. “Trump generally prefers to have his hand on top, but in this instance, it seems he offered his palm up — a less dominant, more submissive stance — suggesting he perceives Putin as the more powerful figure,” Wood elaborated. Nevertheless, Trump retained one of his characteristic tactics: keeping the handshake firm against his mid-body. “This pulls the other individual in, showcasing a display of power,” she stated.
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Both men maintained eye contact and exchanged smiles, which Wood characterized as “a balance of deference and assertion.” Their heads remained in close proximity. “This indicates warmth,” she remarked.
Trump subsequently added another dimension to the handshake by patting Putin’s arm with his left hand, which Wood referred to as a “double handshake.” “This serves as a subtle indication of dominance — symbolically conveying, ‘I could strike you if I wished to,’” she explained. “Putin reciprocates in a similar manner.”
As the two walked side by side, the dynamics shifted once more. “It’s a handshake chess game,” Wood noted, observing that Trump’s hand ultimately moved to the top, regaining the dominant stance.
Observers also detected differences in body language as the men approached the meeting venue. Wood remarked that Putin appeared self-assured, swinging his arms freely — “in contrast to six months prior when he exhibited a more rigid demeanor.” Trump, on the other hand, kept his arms closer to his body, although at one moment he grasped Putin’s elbow and leaned in to whisper. “This represents both a control maneuver and a sign of intimacy,” Wood stated.
During the photo session, Putin clenched his hands into fists before relaxing them. “This may indicate readiness for confrontation, although it could also pertain to physical concerns,” Wood noted. “Both men smile — a display of political theater, considering the context of the Ukraine war.”
While analysts perceived competitive elements in their gestures, Wood stressed that the overall atmosphere of the meeting seemed amicable. “It resembled two old friends reuniting after a lengthy separation,” she observed.
She further remarked that Trump appeared more at ease than in previous high-pressure situations. “Even amidst the handshake contest, I’ve witnessed Trump deliver a ‘death stare’ or evade eye contact in similar contexts, but not in this instance,” Wood commented.
The visual aspects of the meeting held significant importance against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, escalating tensions in Europe, and Trump’s renewed attempts to broker a peace agreement. Experts noted that the interplay of symbolic gestures and meaningful discussions underscored the gravity of the encounter