It was his eagerly awaited war speech. On Tuesday, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, 70, addressed the Russian Federation’s parliament — thus speaking to all Russians, but the entire world was listening.
In the XXL speech (104 minutes), Putin accused the West of starting a war against Ukraine and announced that he would continue his attack on the neighboring country with “special military action,” as he calls it. Finally, he announced the suspension of the Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty.
It was a routine campaign event, but the timing made it pop: Friday was the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A raid that didn’t go according to Putin’s plan.
The Kremlin could hear the ruler’s frustration — and not heed. This results in an analysis Veronica Longuth, body language expert and communication. Languth takes a closer look at the war speech for Bild – exposing the secret messages in Putin’s poses!
Putin also “manipulates” body language
Longuth says that “power man” Putin “knows how to deal effectively, and that’s reflected in his body language.” He relies on “body language style elements” to emphasize his statements – but sometimes his body, his face or his gestures show something he doesn’t want to convey.
In big steps: Putin on his way to a lecture
Putin’s Style and Status: “He takes great strides to lecture, which should show strength and power in a large area.” With rare gestures and no facial expressions, this is the only sign of an inner emotional movement.
Ice-cold expression, both hands on the lectern: Putin during his war speech
He raises his head and raises his eyebrows
Putin’s facial expressions: The dictator’s face was “mostly serious throughout the speech, another sign of strength and composure. He did not frown.” Notable: When he talks about his archenemy, America, “as a stylistic device to emphasize his words, he lifts his head to look directly at his audience and at the same time what he has to do. Raises his eyebrows briefly, a stylistic device to further emphasize the importance of his words and draw attention to them.” “.
Putin’s smile: “A quick, disdainful smile crosses his face a couple of times in connection with this. Occasionally he purses his lips, which shows self-control. He wants to keep his emotions under control and at the same time get a point across, so to speak,” Languth analyzes.
Putin flashes his sly smile
Putin’s hand: “He usually uses extravagant gestures, especially when he wants to emphasize something and he uses them effectively.” But there are contradictions: “First he hides his hands under the lectern, an act of protection and self-restraint.” But: “Then he clings to the platform with his left hand for a long way. Only after a long time he clings to the lectern with both hands. He is looking for support. A sign of self-control and protective function, you don’t need to show your emotions.
Putin opens both hands. His false message: We have no choice
Why does Putin use his left hand more?
Languth says: “Mainly he uses the left (emotional) hand and rarely the right (rational) hand. Consciously or unconsciously, he seeks emotional intimacy with his audience.” Interesting observation: “At one point, when he accuses the Western world of lying, he raises both hands and turns his hands. Sometimes he points his palms in the direction of the audience. This is intended to express transparency: ‘We have no choice but to act as we do’.”
A rare gesture from a dictator who usually likes to appear in control: the Putin Fist
Putin’s Fist: “Wherever he attacks America, the Western world, he emphasizes and underscores his words more and more without long pauses, dismissing and sweeping gestures.” In doing so, he relies on certain gestures. “A short, firm and firm ball of the fist on the table or a brief smack of the edge of the hand on the table”.
(FBI)
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