Body language expert Mary Civiello analyzed the non-verbal interactions between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Alaska summit. Her examination reveals subtle power dynamics through micro-expressions, posture shifts, and gestural exchanges that characterized the high-stakes diplomatic engagement.
Civiello, a recognized behavioral specialist, focused on Trump and Putin’s bilateral meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Key observations included Putin’s restrained movements signaling calculated control versus Trump’s demonstrative gestures reflecting assertive communication. The analysis was published by CNN on August 17, 2025, dissecting interactions from the August 15 summit in Anchorage—a neutral location symbolically chosen amid geopolitical tensions.
This breakdown provides critical insights into unspoken diplomatic strategies during discussions about Ukraine. With Putin seeking sanctions relief and Trump as mediator, their body language revealed leverage dynamics and trust deficits beyond official statements. Civiello employed behavioral psychology frameworks, noting prolonged eye contact during disagreements and mirrored posture during temporary alignments.
The expert concluded Putin maintained psychological advantage through consistent stoicism, while Trump’s variability suggested adaptive but less predictable tactics. Such analyses influence public perception of U.S.-Russia relations and may inform media coverage of future engagements. Policymakers could reference these behavioral assessments when evaluating negotiation outcomes supplementary to formal agreements.
Civiello’s work highlights how non-verbal cues complicate high-stakes diplomacy, particularly regarding Putin’s invitation for follow-up talks in Moscow. The findings underscore that physical communication often reveals more than diplomatic communiqués in politically charged environments.