The long-awaited summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage concluded without a ceasefire agreement for the ongoing war in Ukraine, but the meeting did offer a captivating “chess game” of non-verbal communication, according to body language expert Patty Ann Wood.
The initial greeting between the two leaders on the tarmac was a study in subtle power dynamics. According to Wood, Trump’s posturing shoulders back and an unusually erect stance signaled confidence. He applauded lightly as Putin approached, which Wood interpreted as a sign of respect.
The handshake itself was particularly revealing. While Trump is known for attempting to dominate handshakes by placing his hand on top, he surprisingly presented his palm up to Putin. “That indicates he sees Putin as more powerful,” Wood told Newsweek. Despite this, Trump still executed his signature move of pulling Putin in close, a display of power. Both leaders maintained eye contact and smiled, suggesting a complex mix of deference and assertion.
The most notable gesture, however, was Trump’s use of a “double handshake,” where he used his left hand to pat Putin’s arm. “This is a subtle signal of dominance symbolically saying, ‘I could strike you if I wanted to’,” Wood explained. Putin reportedly reciprocated the gesture.
Throughout the interaction, Wood observed several other key cues. Trump’s arms stayed close to his body, while Putin’s arms swung loosely, a change from his “more rigid” demeanor six months ago. At one point, Trump was seen grabbing Putin’s elbow and leaning in to whisper, a move Wood described as both a “control move and a gesture of intimacy.”
During a photo session, Putin flexed his hands into fists and then relaxed them. While this can signal preparation for confrontation, Wood noted it could also be related to physical issues. She described the smiles exchanged by both men during this time as “political theater,” given the context of the war in Ukraine.
Despite the visible jostling for control, Wood concluded that the meeting appeared warm and familiar, more like “two old friends seeing each other after a long time.” She noted that Trump’s body language was far from the “death stare” or avoidance of eye contact he has displayed in similar past situations. The summit, which lasted nearly three hours and ended without a deal, was described by Trump as “very productive,” with “many points we agreed on” and a “couple of big ones” still unresolved.
