Body Language Analysis №4006: Vladimir Putin and Melania Trump at the G20 Summit — Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Dr. Jack Brown
Jul 22, 2017 · 3 min read

These images of Vladimir Putin and Melania Trump were taken earlier this month at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany.

There are many photos available online of the Russian President and the American First Lady captured during this particular meal. Despite being taken from multiple angles by different photographers — they all show Vladimir Putin with similar body language.

From a nonverbal standpoint Vladimir Putin was persistently displaying the following nonverbal cluster:

  • The Russian President’s torso is rotated to his right — away from Melania Trump
  • He is not centered on his chair — but shifted an inch or two to his right — again away from the First Lady
  • Putin’s right elbow is projected out and backward
  • His right hand is contracted, fingers flexed
  • Vladimir’s thumb is hooked in his belt or in the waist of his pants

We cannot see his leg, knee, or feet — yet if we could, these would also probably be rotated and pointing away from Melania.

This nonverbal cluster is an emotional signal that Vladimir wanted to leave the conversation. And although we don’t have enough information to say exactly why — it’s interesting to recall that during the last hour of this three-hour meal, the Russian leader spoke at length with Donald Trump (who was seated some distance away) in their second meeting of the G20 summit. There is no doubt that Vladimir Putin was trying to extricate himself from this situation with Melania Trump.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis №4005: O.J. Simpson’s Parole Board Hearing

Body Language Analysis №4003: Donald Trump, “Let Obamacare Fail”

Body Language Analysis №4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS

Body Language Analysis №3999: Donald Trump Jr., A Russian Lawyer, and Another Person in the Room

Body Language Analysis №3994: Vladimir Putin at G20 — Donald Trump agreed with me

Body Language Analysis №3965: Manspreading, Madrid, and a Business Faux Pas

Body Language Analysis №3946: Melania Swats Away Donald Trump’s Hand as They Arrive in Israel

Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3872: “Fearless Girl” Statue in Manhattan’s Financial District

Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3619: Lone Protester, Baton Rouge Police and Body Language

This post and the associated website serve as reference sources for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts — not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

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Dr. Jack Brown

Written by

Body Language/Nonverbal Communication Expert and Physician www.BodyLanguageEQ.com

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