Upper hand: Trump and Putin's body language shows who's the boss

[Judi Lynn]

John Crace
@JohnJCrace
Friday 7 July 2017 13.14 EDT


The stonyfaced Russian president made it clear who was the heavyweight figure on the world stage




Their first encounter had been a brush-by in the VIP lounge of the G20 conference centre in Hamburg during the morning. President Putin had intended it to be the briefest of handshakes, forgetting there is no such thing as a quick handshake with Donald Trump. The US president had thrust out a clammy right paw, grabbed hold of his arm with his left hand and then pumped it enthusiastically for rather longer than was comfortable. The man clearly has no sense of personal space.

Vlad flashed a half-hearted smile, keen not to look outmanoeuvred by such third-rate power games. The Donald might be a great deal taller than him, but he is also badly out of shape. A physical wreck. One judo throw and Trump would be on his back. Where he belonged. Had he really gone to all the trouble of trying to rig the US presidential election for this? Maybe he would have been better off with Hillary after all. At least you could have an intelligent conversation with her.

By the time the two world leaders met for their bilateral meeting in the afternoon, Putin was better prepared. For the obligatory photo opportunity at the beginning of the talks, he and Trump were seated in adjacent armchairs with translators and officials to one side. Their body language could hardly have been worse. The Donald was perched on the edge of his chair, trying to appear in control though just looking a bit needy. Vlad sat back in his, determined to make little or no eye contact. He wanted to make the American president sweat and he was succeeding. There was no doubt who was the boss now.

The Donald is uncomfortable with lengthy silences and started filling the void with words. Any words. “We’ve had some very … uh … very good talks,” he began. “We’re going to have a talk now and obviously that will continue.” Putin looked down, trying not to smirk. They both had Russian-to-English translators but the Americans had clearly forgotten to bring an English-to-English translator.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/07/upper-hand-trump-and-putins-body-language-shows-whos-the-boss

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Said this earlier.

Putin just became the World's strong man with out even firing a shot.

The real story is,sanctions are going away,and Exxon and Shell will sell their Drilling Technology to Putin. Oil is Putin's Currency and Russia is in fact totally broke and this is his economic plan in order to rebuild his Military and his Banks in order to stave off a revolt by his Countrymen.

[dalton99a]

2. Kick.

[greytdemocrat]

3. I don't know...

I thought that went well for both of them really.

Mr. Crace is clearly a Putin lover IMHO and/or a Trump hater.

[HipChick]

4. but the Americans had clearly forgotten to bring an English-to-English translator.....

World View...America just got owned...

[doc03]

5. Putin does speak fluent English at least better than

Trump doesn't he?
On edit: I found he speaks fluent German and French but doesn't like to speak English he is not so good at that. He is obviously
smarter than tRump.

[rainbow4321]

6. I noticed drumf put his hand underneath Putin's when they shook hands

It was when they were sitting down and he extended his hand. It was lower than Putin's, palm up...Putin's was above and he grabbed drumf's when they shook. Drumf's hand/arm looked like it was in a submissive position. Unlike his handshakes with real world leaders where he aggressively reaches out and tries to domineer the handshake. Pretty much says it all. He's Putin's bitch.

[smirkymonkey]

7. Trump is so out of his depth here. He's pathetic, the way he kisses Putin's ass.

"The Donald is uncomfortable with lengthy silences and started filling the void with words. Any words. “We’ve had some very … uh … very good talks,” he began. “We’re going to have a talk now and obviously that will continue.” Putin looked down, trying not to smirk. They both had Russian-to-English translators but the Americans had clearly forgotten to bring an English-to-English translator."

Putin knows exactly how to play him. Before he's done, he will be running this country outright.