Body language expert reveals reason Trump didn't greet Zelenskyy with 'bone-crusher' handshake he uses with other leaders

A body language expert has explained why Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn't get Donald Trump's infamous 'bone-cruncher' handshake.

Zelenskyy arrived in the US on Sunday ahead of his meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday (August 18), just days after Putin jetted to Alaska to discuss ending the war between Russia and Ukraine with the POTUS.

Notably, Trump 'yanked' at Putin's hand when the pair shook hands in front of the cameras, something body language expert Patti Ann Wood said was a mix of 'deference, control and familiarity' from the president.

She further pointed out to Newsweek that Trump keeping the handshake tight to his mid-body to pull Putin in was 'a display of power'.

But Trump didn't do his infamous handshake when greeting Zelenskyy in Washington yesterday.

Trump used the 'bone-crusher handshake' when Zelenskyy visited in February (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

'The handshake was telling'

Discussing Zelenskyy's decision to sport more formal attire this time, body language expert Darren Stanton told UNILAD: "The most significant factor that set the tone for the meeting was Zelenskyy choosing to arrive in a suit. That was the very first thing Trump commented on; he acknowledged the effort, and it clearly influenced his approach.

"Instead of his trademark combat gear, Zelenskyy wore a suit, not a full business suit, but still far smarter and more formal than usual."

Going on to point out Trump's missing 'bone-crusher' handshake, Stanton said: "We also didn’t see Trump’s usual 'bone-crusher' handshake or the power-play gestures he often uses."

Trump's handshake with Zelenskyy was much less forceful this time around (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

"Last time, back in February," Stanton went on, "Trump tapped Zelenskyy’s hand during their handshake, a patronising gesture, almost like saying 'good boy', and placed his hand on his back to assert dominance. None of that was present this time.

"Apart from a couple of small gestures, such as pointing towards doors, Trump avoided the key tactics he often uses to undermine or intimidate.

"It was clear he respected the optics and made no effort to belittle Zelenskyy in front of the media."

The expert added: "The handshake was telling: this time it was mutual and measured, without the crushing grip or pulling motion Trump has used before. It reinforced the sense of equality and respect between them."

As seen by their body language, Trump and Zelenskyy's meeting was much less tense than their previous and the pair even shared a laugh over something that occurred in February.

The Ukrainian president didn't wear a suit when visiting the White House earlier this year, something the media berated him for.

Brian Glenn, who is the Chief White House Correspondent for Real America’s Voice, grilled Zelenskyy on his choice of clothing at the time and suggested that he was disrespecting Trump by not dressing more formally.

But Zelenskyy got his own back yesterday after the same reporter told him he looked 'fabulous' in his suit.

Zelenskyy replied to Glenn in a now-viral moment: "You're wearing the same suit. I've changed, you have not."

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