There was something awkward about the interaction between Trump, Zelensky, Macron and Starmer when they came face-to-face at St Peter’s Basilica shortly before Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
A body language expert has revealed the potential meaning behind the subtle movements displayed by each world leader in the clumsy huddle.
In video footage, Zelensky and Trump are seen striding towards a set of three chairs laid out in the middle of the church before the President of France comes up behind them.
He is immediately greeted by the Ukrainian leader, who abandoned his conversation with Trump for a strong and meaningful hand shake with Macron.
Judi James told Macron’s intervention seems to champion Zelensky as the one ‘the crowd’s cheering for’ and could be a signal to show Trump he is ‘My guy’.
She added: ‘Zelensky extends his arm and what might have been a simple handshake is upgraded to a “Bro shake” – a ritual that suggests close allegiance and loyalty.’
The US President seem slightly startled by the interruption, pausing for a moment before taking a step and a half back to observe the pair.
Ms James said Trump’s retreat ‘suggests he might have thought Macron had come to pay homage to him’ at first.
After being a bystander to the powerful display of Ukrainian and French unity, Trump tried to regain control by placing a hand on both of their shoulders (pictured)
In doing so, he completely missed Macron’s attempt to shake his hand (pictured)
There was something awkward about the interaction between Trump, Zelensky , Macron and Starmer (pictured) when they came face-to-face at St Peter’s Basilica shortly before Pope Francis ‘ funeral on Saturday
After being a bystander to the powerful display of Ukrainian and French unity, Trump tried to regain control by placing a hand on both of their shoulders – a technique the body language expert called a ‘touch ritual’.
In doing so, he completely missed Macron’s attempt to shake his hand which left the Frenchman reaching out to place his hand on Zelensky’s back ‘to keep him tight in the group’.
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, Trump appears to have said to the pair: ‘Slow down, let me bring…’ followed by ‘you are not in the right here, I need you to do me a favour, you should not be here’.
As Macron replied to the US President, Ms James said Zelensky was ‘generally tense’.
Adding: ‘His body language overall suggested a desire to re-boot his signals of warrior power and strength plus resilience after his humiliation if the US.
‘He would have been braced for more from Trump during this meeting and worried that Macron would irritate Trump unnecessarily.
‘His best chance with Trump was one-to-one, as soon as anyone like Vance or even Macron steps in there’s a risk Trump will begin to showboat in terms of personal power.’
Keir Starmer’s body language seemed closed off and perhaps protective when he hurried over to join the trio.
In video footage, Zelensky and Trump are seen striding (pictured) towards a set of three chairs laid out in the middle of the church before the President of France comes up behind them
He is immediately greeted by the Ukrainian leader, who abandoned his conversation with Trump for a strong and meaningful hand shake with Macron (pictured)
The US President seem slightly startled by the interruption, pausing for a moment before taking a step and a half back to observe the pair (pictured)
Keir Starmer’s body language seemed closed off and perhaps protective when he hurried over to join the trio. He held his hands in front of this chest with his arms bent up at the elbows, almost like a T-Rex (pictured)
He held his hands in front of this chest with his arms bent up at the elbows, almost like a T-Rex.
Ms James said: ‘Starmer likes to display top level power and global influence but he doesn’t have the body language skills to compete with the likes of Trump and Macron. This would produce some closed off signals.’
She added: ‘Starmer’s expression suggests he was suffering from leadership FOMO (fear of missing out).
‘There has been speculation Macron thought the third chair was for him but with Starmer racing in this could have ended up looking like a game of musical chairs!’