Body language experts have closely examined the gesture President Donald Trump made during his handshake with Vladimir Putin.
The two leaders met on August 15 at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Alaska, and though their greeting began with smiles, their body language told a different story as the summit unfolded.
According to expert Dr. Peter Collett, the first handshake between Trump and Putin was full of symbolic meaning.
The 72-year-old was the first to extend his hand, signaling "enthusiasm, delight," and "commitment," as Collett described it, per Sky News. However, within the handshake, there were multiple "hand pats" exchanged between the two, each carrying its own significance.
Putin’s first pat was described as tentative, while Trump’s pat was more of a "status reminder," and a way of reinforcing his dominance in the interaction.
Collett pointed out that Trump’s signature move, letting Putin place his hand on top, might initially appear as submission, but it allowed the two-time president to “flex his muscles” by pulling Putin closer.
"One of the reasons Trump makes a habit of doing this is that it allows him to flex his bicep and pull the other [person] towards him," he added.
The most significant detail, however, was that the 79-year-old ensured he delivered the final pat, a gesture that high-dominance personalities like him often use to assert control.
As the meeting progressed, the body language signals continued to evolve and revealed more about the leaders' respective positions.
Putin adopted a confident stance by sitting with his legs spread wide, while Trump appeared more constrained, slouching in his chair. Collett interpreted this as a sign of unease - which is a contrast to his typical outward bravado.
While Putin's and Trump's smiles initially conveyed warmth, they faded as frustration became evident on the 47th president's face.
What started as a genuine smile turned into what the expert referred to as a "flashbulb smile" - a tight expression lacking warmth, which signals growing dissatisfaction.
In a clear sign of discomfort, Trump also made physical gestures to guide the Russian president through the event, placing his hand behind Putin’s back, a subtle dominance move.
The press conference itself was marked by tension, particularly after a reporter questioned Putin about a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The Russian's response was caught on video and later interpreted by a lip reader, who alleged that he called the reporter "ignorant." A visibly uncomfortable Trump, who was seated next to Putin, could be seen signaling to aides during the exchange.
Despite the tension and lack of a concrete deal by the end of their meeting, both leaders later described the private discussions as "productive," but did not reveal further details.