Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have been likened to two peas in a diplomatic pod by an expert, as they both employed similar power moves during their meeting in Alaska. The two leaders arrived in Anchorage for crucial talks regarding the future of the conflict in Ukraine. Despite the serious agenda, the meeting started on a positive note with both men sharing smiles and a firm embrace. They walked down a red carpet together, exchanging amicable conversation, and later sat side by side in Mr. Trump’s presidential limousine.
Observers noted that Trump and Putin displayed synchronized behavior during the talks, including specific gestures that indicated they were in sync. Body language expert Darren Stanton pointed out that both leaders made identical hand gestures, known as the “reverse steeple,” before the negotiations began. This gesture, considered a power move in Trump’s repertoire, was mirrored by Putin, indicating a level of mirroring between the two.
Stanton highlighted that both leaders also adopted a similar stance by spreading their legs during the initial meeting, a posture that signifies a sense of power and dominance. Despite their mutual respect and the intention to work together, both Trump and Putin were conscious of projecting strength and avoiding any appearance of weakness.
Following the talks, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference. The relatively short meeting of two hours and 30 minutes is expected to yield positive outcomes, particularly for Mr. Trump, who had indicated that a conference with Putin would only happen if some agreement was reached.
Overall, the diplomatic encounter between Trump and Putin in Alaska showcased their strategic communication and non-verbal cues, indicating a complex interplay of power dynamics and mutual respect.