Vladimir Putin was showcasing signs of anger during his latest speech, according to a body language expert.
He was spotted darting, widening and wincing his eyes while speaking in Moscow at a summit of Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), while a body language expert claims that he looks to be "suppressing anger or frustration."
Expert Judi James says that the Russian President attempts to adopt an air of confidence and control at the start, as reported by The Mirror.
However, his "body language fluctuations look much more complex than his outward projections".
By using his signature head-bounce, he states he has "no problem" with Finland and Sweden but James notes how he leans forward ever so slightly in his chair as he makes this claim and "his right eye seems to wince in what could be suppressed anger or frustration".
Finland and Sweden have now both confirmed they will formally apply to join the western-led NATO alliance, despite the Kremlin saying it will be a "mistake" to do so.
The Russian leader said at the meeting he feels no threat from NATO expansion, "but the expansion of military infrastructure into this territory would certainly provoke our response".
In a seeming change of tactic, Putin’s projected intentional signals in his recent speeches seem to be more about "calm reasonability", says James.
She added: "His almost parental style of persuasion could be as seductive as his threats are fear-inducing. He seems to be holding both the carrot and the stick in the same hand here while positioning himself as the sensible and safer option."
He refers to Finland and Sweden as "dear colleagues", despite previous threats towards the Nordic nations.
But while he says this his body language signals "suggest some conflicting incongruence for much of this speech".
Similarly, his speech is at odds with his "right hand gesture that is open and slightly sweeping to suggest reasonableness".
James continues: "Putin repeats the word ‘no’ and sucks in air in what looks like a bid to keep on-message.
"When he refers to possible reaction to any ‘expansion of military response’ his right hand comes down onto the table for clarity and firm emphasis with a slight chopping gesture to suggest action.
"His chin lowers slightly and his eyes widen. The words ‘provoke our response’ seem to come with a micro-sneer. His head batons suggest firmness and he licks his lips twice before referring to ‘what that response will be’."
The latest military assessment from the Ministry of Defence said: "Russia is likely to continue to rely heavily on massed artillery strikes as it attempts to regain momentum in its advance in the Donbas."
But in a meeting in Moscow with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on Monday, Putin was seen manically moving his feet and looking frail in a meeting with a head of state with Erik Bucy body language expert telling the Mirror he looks "astonishingly weakened".
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