In a recent interview with NBC's Richard Engel, Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian Attorney who was a key participant in the 9 June 2016 Trump Tower meeting - said of her relationship with the Kremlin's Prosecutor General, Yuri Chaika, "I am an attorney and I am an informant".
Ms. Veselnitskaya is, therefore, working with the Russian government - an act which she previously denied. Last November she went on record to the US Senate Judiciary Committee, stating, “I operate independently of any governmental bodies,” - as well as, “I have no relationship with Mr. Chaika, his representatives and his institutions other than those related to my professional functions as a lawyer.”
In new emails disclosed by Dossier, an organization set up by Mikhail Khodorkovsky - who's an opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin - show that Veselnitskaya was working the Kremlin's Prosecutor General, Yuri Y. Chaika (the Russian equivalent of the US Attorney General) to interfere with an investigation by the US Department of Justice into the business holdings of a powerful Russian businessman (Denis P. Katsyv).
Yet prior to her admission of being "an informant", Ms. Veselnitskaya showed her proverbial cards. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a crucial portion of her interview.
During 4:51, Ms. Veselnitskaya displays a classic display of Disgust.
Although eyelid closure is not a required component of an expression of disgust - in this setting it serves as a disgust amplifier.
Notice too that Ms. Veselnitskaya's is blushing on her upper chest. Blushing is completely involuntary - and thus cannot be suppressed.
If you have a tendency to blush in this region (which is often independent of facial blushing), it's wise to wear clothing which covers it - when you're involved in significant negotiations, public appearances, or interviews.
During 4:52, Ms. Veselnitskaya displays an excellent example of what is known as an Asymmetrical Blink. An asymmetrical blink is NOT synonymous with a wink - rather it's a blinking (if only for an instant) with only one eye. This example comes at the beginning of an eye roll (see below).
Asymmetrical Blinking is a nonverbal signal indicative of the thought-emotions of:
• Sarcasm
• Contempt
• Pretentiousness
• Feigned Disbelief
A split-second later we immediately see an Eye Roll - which Indicates:
• Contempt
• Impatient Dismissal
(Note her mouth and mid-facial region continues to project disgust)
A second later (4:53) we see a second Asymmetrical Blink.
Summary: Along with the emotions of Sarcasm, Contempt, and Pretentiousness - an Asymmetrical Blink is a dead giveaway for the thought-emotion of Feigned Disbelief. When you see this nonverbal signal - always ask yourself, "Why is this person trying so hard to convince me?"
... or in the words of William Shakespeare, "The Lady doth protest too much, methinks".
Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available
See also:
Body Language Analysis No. 4272: Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in Holding Hands - Alpha and Beta
Body Language Analysis No. 4270: Donald Trump Brushes Dandruff off Emmanuel Macron
Body Language Analysis No. 4268: Benedict Cumberbatch, Schadenfreude, and The Grinch
Body Language Analysis No. 4254: Tony Robbins, Nanine McCool, and the #MeToo Movement
Body Language Analysis No. 4240: Cambridge Analytica's Alexander Nix (Part I)
Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail
Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose
Body Language Analysis No. 4064: The Murder of Laci Peterson - Part II - A Red Flag Conspicuous by its Absence
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3896: Did Matthew Perry Really Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?
________________________________
