Monday, September 1, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2937: Vladimir Putin - “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks” and Critical Evaluation - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)






















As NATO announced that it will assemble a "spearhead" rapid reaction force, with as many as 4,000 troops that can be mobilized and flown to Eastern Europe (e.g. Ukraine) within 48 hours to react to Russian aggression - it has come to light that last week at the EU Summit, Vladimir Putin told the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks”.

In the above image, the three-term Russian President is displaying a cluster of body language that is commonly seen in very important, yet less grave scenarios.

Note Mr. Putin is leaning away from the person whom is speaking. His hand position is of particular importance as it indicates critical evaluation (some will erroneously label this as boredom).

We also see a mild central forehead contraction (CFC) with a simultaneous mild (and largely suppressed) mouth smile. This CFC + mouth smile alone has immense nonverbal ramifications.

Vladimir's head is not turned directly at the person with whom he is watching/listening. We don't look directly at those we don't like, don't believe or don't respect.

Mr. Putin's slightly closed upper eyelids act as an amplifier for what other emotion or thought which is already present?

In summary, Mr. Putin does not believe what another person is saying (or doing) - either that their plan/idea is not at all credible or that it is a lie - and he is finding flaw after flaw in his mind. He feels his position is vastly superior. He is feeling arrogant and is not trying to hide it.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2936: Tony Stewart's addresses Kevin Ward's Death - Sincere vs. Insincere

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2896: Hillary Clinton - Vladimir Putin Bears Some Responsibility for the Downing of Malaysia Air Flight MH17

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates  Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2842: Barack Obama in Normandy regarding Edward Snowden - Body Language Tells 

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