Putin 'trying to convince himself' but 'rigid' body language shows victory doubt
Warlord Vladimir Putin seemed "subdued" and as though he was trying to convince himself as he promised to fully subsume illegally annexed Ukrainian regions into Russia.
While promising that "nothing and no-one" will stop him, he addressed the Russian people to mark his newly declared Day of Reunification and remember the day last year when he illegally incorporated the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics into Russia. Parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions were also seized in a move he today hailed as “a defining and truly historic event”. All are legally part of a Ukraine's sovereign territory under international law.
But despite Putin's tough talk, his body language suggested he needed to assure himself of the bold claims he was making. Renowned body language expert Judi James, who has authored several books on the subject, said there was an "apparent incongruence between Putin's words and his body language and tone of voice".
(Kremlin/east2west news)Speaking exclusively with The Mirror, she added: "He speaks in a relatively subdued, close to camera style, rather than his more dictatorial ‘to the nation’ delivery, despite the obviously intended power of his message." Ms James continued, saying that the set up of the speech made it look like Putin was speaking into a mirror, reassuring himself of the criminal decisions he's already made.
She explained: "It’s quite a personal-looking delivery too, but he oddly looks as though he’s talking into a mirror, perhaps trying to persuade himself as well as the public. His eyes are not quite directed at the camera although that might be caused by the use of an autocue.
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"His shoulders are slightly hunched upward and his arms look static and rather rigid. He seems to be trying to come across as reasonable as a form of persuasion but he doesn’t seem persuaded himself. Despite the more subdued and reasonable act there are frequent sneer gestures around his nostrils and one sneer even rises to the bridge of his nose, with a mouth clamp adding to the suggestion of suppressed inner anger or frustration."
During the speech, Putin said his decision last year was an act to restore “something every person values, namely culture, traditions, and mother tongue” among mainly Russian-speaking people. This was “everything that was loathed by nationalists and their Western patrons who orchestrated a coup in Kyiv in 2014 and then unleashed a full-scale civil war and terror against dissenters and organised blockades, constant shelling, and punitive actions in Donbas”.
Seeking to justify his war, he vowed: “Nothing and no-one can break the will of millions of people, or their belief in truth and historical justice. The free and unequivocal choice of our brothers and sisters was wholeheartedly supported by the Russian people. We understood and deeply felt the most important thing: by defending our compatriots in Donbas and Novorossiya, we are defending Russia itself. Together, we are fighting for the Motherland, for our sovereignty, spiritual values, unity, and victory. I thank all the citizens of the country for this solidarity and patriotism.”
Despite plunging Russia and Ukraine into a debilitating 19-month war in which hundreds of thousands have perished, the dictator claimed he was “building our common future together, rebuilding and building schools and hospitals, housing and roads, museums and memorial sites”.
Putin thanked people in the newly-grabbed regions “for preserving and passing on your love for the Fatherland to your children despite all the trials". He claimed: “Thanks to you, your fortitude and determination, Russia has become even stronger. We are one people, and together we can overcome anything and meet any challenge.”
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