Body language expert reveals how attention-seeking Putin tries to engage President Xi with eye-contact… and the signals that show China’s leader is the senior partner in their relationship

Vladimir Putin tried to engage Xi Jinping with eye contact during their meeting today, but it is clear that the Chinese president is the senior partner in the relationship between the world leaders, according to a body language expert.

The Russian president met his Chinese counterpart on Thursday for a summit in Beijing, where the two leaders reaffirmed a “no-limits” partnership that has deepened as both countries face rising tensions with the West.

During Putin’s two-day state visit to one of his strongest allies, he thanked Xi for his efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine – as his country’s armed forces wage an offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region in the biggest border incursion since the massive invasion. invasion began in February 2022.

The largely symbolic visit highlighted the partnership between two countries that both face challenges in their relationships with the US and Europe.

But amid the deepening partnership between the two nations, body language expert and author of 26 books on the subject Judi James said the meeting may have been more one-sided than Putin would like the world to believe.

The Russian used subtle ways to show the bond between the two despots, Ms James said. But Xi, she noted, “didn’t get the memo.”

“One leader will overreach in terms of travel or how far they walk to greet their guest, or use dominance signals like Trump’s infamous ‘Power shakes’ or even power patting,” she explained.

However, she added: ‘If world leaders want to demonstrate active and often strategic alliances, there will often be mutual body language acts of ingratiation to indicate a deep connection with the rest of the world.

Putin is clearly taking these rituals into account here, but Xi’s answers suggest he did not get the memo and did not read the rules in terms of mutually active integration rituals.

“There are clearly cultural differences to take into account, but the overall result makes Putin more eager to curry favor and demonstrate ties. [with his counterpart] here’s one […] Xi looks of higher status,” which Ms. James said was “merely polite.”

“Putin first traveled to China for the meeting and he is also the one who uses the facial expressions and attentive signals of active friendship or conspiracy here.”

Analyzing a photo showing a handshake between the leaders, Ms James said there was a noticeable difference in the way Putin and Xi approached it.

Most analysts and commentators agree that Putin needs this relationship more than Xi does

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchange bilateral documents during a meeting in Beijing, China, May 16, 2024

In the photo, “Xi is looking forward with his arm extended to one side, away from his torso, and with his palm up to hold Putin’s hand,” she said.

“His expression looks polite, but his smile seems aimed at the cameras.”

“Putin’s smile is more pronounced, with upturned and rounded cheeks, and his arm is held across his body, making his handshake attempt here look more personal.”

It was also clear there was a difference between the leaders as they walked side by side, with a photo showing Putin leaning over to talk to the much taller Xi, trying to get the Chinese leader’s attention.

“As the two men walk side by side, Xi appears to step out, looking forward and fiercely confident,” Ms. James said.

“It appears that Putin is actively trying to engage him in conversation, but the pose suggests that it is Putin who is talking, while Xi is the higher status listener.

‘Putin uses eye contact in what appears to be an attempt to get Xi’s attention and while Chinese business body language suggests that looking down while the other person is talking can be a sign of respect, here Xi is looking forward rather than from down.’

She added: “Putin’s expression looks almost mischievous here, with a raised brow and an eye smile as he raises his hand to gesture.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping today attend an official welcome ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing

Another photo showed Putin and Xi exchanging documents.

Ms James said there was some “mirroring” as the documents were exchanged, but that it was again Putin seeking Xi’s attention.

“As they exchange documents, there is some mirroring here in terms of their smiles,” she said. “But again, it’s only Putin making eye contact.

‘When the two men shook hands [again] On the steps of Beijing, it is once again Putin vying for eye engagement, while Xi looks away,” she added.

Most analysts and commentators agree that Putin needs this relationship with China more than Xi needs his country’s relationship with Russia.

China has provided an economic lifeline for Russia after the West hit Moscow with unprecedented sanctions on Ukraine, and Putin has spoken highly of his Chinese counterpart, waxing lyrical about his admiration for Chinese culture – even noting that members of teaching his family Mandarin.

But both Putin and Xi want to show a united front despite US pressure, said Hoo Tiang Boon, a professor who studies Chinese foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

“Both sides want to show that despite what is happening globally, despite the pressure that both sides face from the US, both sides have no intention of turning their backs on each other anytime soon,” he told the Associated Press.

Although both leaders said they wanted an end to the war in Ukraine, they provided no new details in their public remarks Thursday afternoon. China has significant influence as a major supporter of Russia’s invasion.

The country claims to take a neutral position in the conflict, but supports Moscow’s claims that Russia was provoked by the West to attack Ukraine, and continues to supply Russia with key components that Moscow needs for its weapons production.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an official welcome ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing

China proposed a broadly worded peace plan in 2023, but it was rejected by both Ukraine and the West after failing to call on Russia to leave the occupied parts of Ukraine.

“China hopes for Europe’s early return to peace and stability and will continue to play a constructive role in this,” Xi said alongside Putin.

His words echoed what China said last year when it first offered a comprehensive peace plan outlining broad principles for ending the war in Ukraine.

Putin said he will inform the Chinese leader in detail about “the situation in Ukraine,” and said “we appreciate the initiative of our Chinese colleagues and friends to regulate the situation.” He added that the two planned to hold further foreign policy discussions at an informal meeting later Thursday.