16 May 2024 , 17:58
481
0
Vladimir Putin put in a huge effort to "register unity" despite visible tension during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a body language expert has claimed.
The Russian President visited Beijing, one of his strongest allies and trading partners, while Russian forces are pressing a devastating offensive in Ukraine. During his two-day trip, he thanked Xi for China's proposals for ending the war, which have been rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies as largely following the Kremlin's line.
Body language expert Judi James observed that the two leaders' meeting was characterised by "visible tension," mainly from Putin's side, with Xi appearing as a welcoming host. Judi told the Mirror: "There’s clearly an attempt to register unity here, with most of the effort appearing to come from Putin while Xi adopts the more polite smiles and welcoming behaviour of a good host."
READ MORE: China sets out to strengthen 'no limits' friendship with Russia as Vladimir Putin visits Xi Jinping
READ MORE: Russian forces 'kidnap and execute civilians' in Ukrainian city as troops advance
Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events
Both leaders said they were seeking an end to the war in Ukraine (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The largely symbolic and ceremonial visit stressed the alliance between two countries who both face challenges in their relationship with the US and Europe. While Putin and Xi said they were seeking an end to the war, they offered no new proposals in their public remarks.
In prepared remarks to the media in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xi said: "China hopes for the early return of Europe to peace and stability and will continue to play a constructive role toward this." China claims to take a neutral position in the Ukraine conflict, although it has backed the Kremlin's contentions that Russia was provoked into the invasion, and it continues to supply components for weapons production.
Putin's visit was largely symbolic and ceremonial (Anadolu via Getty Images)Earlier in the day, Putin was welcomed in Tiananmen Square with military pomp and cannons firing. On the eve of his visit, Putin said China’s proposal could “lay the groundwork for a political and diplomatic process that would take into account Russia’s security concerns and contribute to achieving a long-term and sustainable peace.”
Commenting on Putin and Xi's looks, Judi noted: "There is some tension visible from Putin with his one hand that seems to be balled into a fist, while his projected signals tend to be all about cheek-rounding mouth smiles and crinkled eye-smiles to suggest high levels of desired bonhomie here.
"Xi’s handshake involves his torso facing front toward the camera and his right hand extended to the side, making Putin look rather lower in status for this pose but Putin’s dimpled smile suggests he’s happy to be seen clenching hands with the Chinese leader here."
Both Russian and China face challenges in their relationship with the US and Europe (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
China, which has not criticised the invasion, proposed a broadly worded peace plan in 2023, calling for a cease-fire and for direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv. The plan was rejected by both Ukraine and the West for failing to call for Russia to leave occupied parts of Ukraine.
China also gave a rhetorical nod to Russia’s narrative about Nazism in Ukraine, with a joint statement Thursday that said Moscow and Beijing should defend the post-World War II order and “severely condemn the glorification of or even attempts to revive Nazism and militarism.”
Putin has cited the “denazification” of Ukraine as a main goal of the military action, falsely describing the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish and lost relatives in the Holocaust, as neo-Nazis.