The recent Ukraine peace talks between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska offered clear non-verbal clues about who held the upper hand, according to body language expert and psychologist Dr. Peter Collett.
From the opening handshake, subtle gestures such as hand pats, seating posture, and physical positioning hinted at a battle for dominance. Dr. Collett explained that Putin extended his hand first, signaling eagerness and commitment to the occasion. However, Trump countered with assertive hand pats, often used as a reminder of one’s own authority. Significantly, Trump delivered the final hand pat, a move often associated with leaders attempting to assert dominance.
When seated before the cameras, Putin projected greater authority by sitting with legs spread wide—known as “manspreading”—a typical display of power. Despite being shorter and stockier, Putin sat upright and confident, while Trump leaned inward with a slouched posture, appearing unsettled.
During a walk around a military base, Trump was seen placing his hand on Putin’s back to guide him. While this may appear courteous, Dr. Collett noted that in this context, it also symbolized dominance: the guiding hand of a leader directing another.
Following their two-and-a-half-hour closed-door meeting, Trump’s frustration was evident. His body language during the press briefing suggested disappointment, particularly when he avoided eye contact with Putin. Psychologists interpret such avoidance as either an attempt to escape a disadvantageous situation or an unwillingness to acknowledge failure.
Trump also displayed pursed lips several times—a gesture often linked to self-restraint and tension. According to Dr. Collett, this suggested that Trump entered the talks with high expectations but left empty-handed. “His facial expressions made it clear that he walked away without the concessions he had hoped for,” Collett explained.