US President Donald Trump is typically keen to assert dominance when meeting with other world leaders, particularly with firm handshakes known as the infamous bone crusher
Donald Trump gave away one major clue that he has changed his opinion about Volodymyr Zelensky, a body language expert has told The Mirror.
The US President commanded a major presence when he met with his Ukrainian counterpart outside the White House. Observers would have been waiting in anticipation to see whether the meeting would be a repeat of Zelensky’s disastrous visit to the White House earlier this year where he was scolded by the media and Vice President JD Vance for not wearing a suit.
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But, in stark contrast to his previous visit, Trump warmly greeted Zelensky and avoided a major power move where he clearly asserted dominance over his political counterparts.
Body language expert Darren Stanton told The Mirror: “The final handshake was one of mutual trust, rapport and respect. Sometimes with handshakes, Trump does what is called the ‘bone crusher’ handshake as he did with Shinto Abe, the previous Japanese Prime Minister who was assassinated.
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“There was a famous piece of footage where he more or less and drags the other politician in this bone crusher handshake and the other guy is perching on his seat. That was always a demonstration of power to say ‘if this guy is going to allow himself to be yanked towards me in a handshake then he’s going to be plausible in terms of giving me what I want.’
“With Zelensky it’s a massive contrast to six months ago the final handshake was equal. Trump did not do his bone crusher handshake. Sometimes if people put their palm on top it may mean they consider themselves more powerful but with Trump it was a handshake of mutual trust, rapport and respect.”
Zelensky has so far managed to avoid any major disagreements with Trump or his Vice President JD Vance. The Republican vice president lashed out at Zelensky for not wearing a suit and also not saying “thank you” for US support, despite the Ukrainian having done so on several occasions.
Trump will hope the meeting with Zelensky will lead to a ceasefire and lasting peace deal. It is unclear whether Zelensky would accept Vladimir Putin’s steep demands of annexing occupied territory.
The US President has been keen to pursue a peace deal and initially appeared favourable to Putin. But following Putin’s apparent unwillingness to stop bombing Ukraine, Trump pivoted towards favouring Zelensky.