Donald Trump’s gave away two crucial “indicators of tension” during his crunch White House meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, a body language expert has revealed. Zelensky, Trump, Sir Keir Starmer and a number of other European leaders were all in Washington DC today to discuss a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine in the wake of Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House a few minutes late, with Trump waiting to greet him with a handshake.
And it was in that moment that the President of the United State’s body language gave away his discomfort.
Inbaal Honigman, celebrity psychic and body language expert, told the Express: “Waiting for the Ukrainian leader to step out of the vehicle, Trump is seen with his lips pursed and his chin puckered, both indicators of tension. He’s not looking forward to the meeting.
“Still, he acknowledges Zelensky as soon as the car door opens, making eye contact and starting to speak before shaking hands.”
But things did soon warm up once the pair had formally greeted one another at the doors of the West Wing.
Speaking on behalf of Oddspedia, the body language guru went on: “Once Trump actually meets Zelensky, he is calmer and more keen to proceed. His head tilts to the side, which signifies that he’s happy to listen.
“Zelensky’s left hand then covers Trump’s hand, which may suggest gratitude. He’s thankful for the American President’s efforts.”
Later on in the meeting, Trump went on to suggest his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky could result in a trilateral dialogue, amid efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine.
In the Oval Office, the Ukrainian president Mr Zelensky presented Mr Trump with a letter from his wife.
Mr Zelensky said he wanted to thank first lady of the United States Melania Trump, who on Friday penned a plea to Russian president Vladimir Putin, imploring him to protect the “innocence” of childre
Taking questions from reporters, Mr Trump heard a quote attributed to Mr Zelensky – that “Russia must end this war which it itself started” – and one reportedly by himself – that Mr Zelensky “can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants to”.
Asked “which is it”, the US president replied: “I think that’s true. We’re going to have a meeting.
“I think if everything works out well today, we’ll have a trilat, and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
