A body language expert has identified the meaning behind the demeanours of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky as pressure mounts on the Ukrainian President to accept a peace deal. The two were both present at the funeral of Pope Francis and were just yards apart throughout the service. Ahead of the funeral, the pair held a brief meeting, it was confirmed, their first encounter since the bust-up at the White House in late February.
The Ukrainian was given a rapturous reception by the thousands of mourners in attendance, as he arrived and took his seat, while the American leader’s arrival was seemingly greeted with less excitement. But as pressure mounts on Zelensky to accept the loss of Ukrainian territory to Russia as a precursor to a peace plan, body language expert Judi James believes that a lot can be read from the two’s postures. Analysing the US President's demeanour during the historic morning, she told the Express: “Trump’s body language has varied from sombre, hunched humility to hints of inner anxiety as he placed one hand on his waistband as he arrived in view of the crowds, in an unusual checking or self-comfort barrier ritual.
“He also appeared distracted as he waited for the procession, looking down and touching or fiddling with the handrail.
“But perhaps hearing the cheers for Zelensky produced a pose of standing to attention as the procession drew closer.
“With his arms at his sides Trump stood out from other world leaders who had their hands clasped in front of their torsos, apart that is from Zelensky.
“Standing about eleven people away the Ukrainian leader’s pose mirrored Trump’s with the two men standing frozen in poses of what looked like defiance and strength.”
The relationship between the pair has been fractious throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, with the two clashing in the infamous meeting in the Oval Office.
On several occasions, Trump has criticised the Ukrainian for his perceived attempts to frustrate plans to bring the conflict with Russia to an end.
This week, Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff visited Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with sources claiming that the United States’ insistence that Ukraine relinquishes territory lost in 2014 and since the 2022 invasion is “set in stone.”
Zelensky has argued that the Ukrainian constitution prevents him from agreeing to relinquish claims over lost territory with any acceptance of Russian occupation requiring a two-thirds majority in a referendum.
With millions of Ukrainians on the frontline fighting or displaced any attempt to hold a legitimate vote would be rendered practically impossible.
