Body language expert reveals Zelenskyy's 'emotional control' in explosive White House meeting with Trump

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been meeting to devise a way to end the war in Ukraine, and a body language expert has weighed in on a brief interaction the pair had with the press.

Last week (October 17), President Trump and Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy met in hopes of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The US president has seemingly upped the ante in his bid to resolve the war between the two countries, as he previously warned Russia that there'd be a 'new step of aggression' if a peace deal wasn't sorted soon, though Russia has seemingly responded with a threat of its own.

On Friday, Zelenskyy and Trump held a meeting in the White House, and according to reports, it eventually turned sour.

The 79-year-old reportedly called on Ukraine to accept Putin’s demands, including surrendering the entire Donbas region to the country.

However, Zelenskyy, 47, rejected this idea, and the pair reportedly shouted expletives in frustration in their heated moments.

While the meeting may not have proved all that fruitful in regard to agreeing on a peaceful resolution, Trump has remained optimistic.

Prior to the meeting, he briefly spoke to reporters and insisted that he thinks both Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin 'want it done', adding: "All they have to do is get along a little bit. In the meantime, we’ll have them keep a little bit of distance, and we’re going to see if we can get it done."

When welcoming the Ukrainian leader to the White House, Trump was asked if he thinks he could persuade Putin to end the war, to which he responded: "Yep, we can."

President Trump: “Yep, we can.”
As Ukraine's president arrived at the White House for a meeting with President Trump, EWTN’s @owentjensen asked President Trump… pic.twitter.com/85986D3xN9

— EWTN News Nightly (@EWTNNewsNightly) October 17, 2025

Body language expert Dr Beth Dawson spoke to UNILAD and commented on the demeanour of Zelenskyy during this exchange.

She said: “When Trump is asked by the journalists whether he can persuade President Putin to end the war, he straightens up and nods and says ‘yep we can’.

“Zelensky’s reaction is more subtle but telling. He presses his lips together, a small sign of tension or restraint often linked to frustration or a held-back response. Rather than challenge Trump or show visible discomfort, he turns towards him and smiles.”

She added: “The pressed lips hint at the pressure of leading a nation at war, while the smile restores calm and signals cooperation. It is a clear example of emotional control in a difficult setting.”

While Zelenskyy is currently unhappy with the idea of surrendering territory, Trump reiterated in a new interview on Sunday that he expects Putin to receive some land.

Speaking to Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, the former businessman confirmed that he spoke on the phone to Putin for 2 hours earlier that week.

He was also asked whether Putin would consider returning Ukrainian territory, to which he replied: “Well, he's gonna take something. I mean, they fought and, he, uh, he has a lot of property. I mean, you know ... he's won certain property.

“You know, we’re the only country that goes in, wins a war and then leaves.”