Posted 43 minutes agoSubscribe to BuzzFeed Daily NewsletterCaret DownOne Body Language Expert Spotted Something Very Telling When Donald Trump Put "His Palm Almost Under" Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ChinThe Ukrainian president met with Donald Trump at the White House, and experts think there's a lot to take away from their interactions.by Caroline BolognaHuffPost Writer FacebookPinterestLinkHot Topic🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Politics When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Monday, there was much interest in what the visit would signal for the future of the US-Ukraine relations amid Russia's ongoing invasion. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images The two leaders greeted each other, posed for photos in front of the White House and answered questions from reporters in the Oval Office. As cameras captured the leaders' interactions, the words they spoke weren't the only part of the story. Body language experts say Trump's physical gestures, postures and touch revealed a complicated power dynamic - one that often put Zelenskyy on the defensive. Many of Trump's gestures were a way to assert control and dominance, experts say. Xinhua News Agency / Getty Images One of the more notable moments for body language experts was when Trump pumped his fist as Zelenskyy arrived at the White House."It starts out with Trump giving his power fist," said Traci Brown, an author and body language expert. "He's planning on being in full control. He's very cordial to Zelenskyy, complimenting his suit but sticking his hands way too close into Zelenskyy's space with his palm almost under his chin. This is a sign of control."The fist pump is a "symbolic punching motion," according to Patti Wood, a body language and nonverbal communication expert and author of SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma."Subconsciously, what that means is he feels like he's in for a fight, and he has to defend himself," she said. "It's an example of what's called a symbolic weapon. And because it's the first thing he does in response to this meeting, that makes it much more powerful." BuzzFeed TrendingHot TopicLet's chat about all things PoliticsSee our Politics Discussions Later in the day, while joined by Zelenskyy and other world leaders, Trump gestured toward a painting of himself pumping his fist following his assassination attempt in 2024. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Beyond the fist pump, there were other control-asserting gestures on display. Brown pointed to the way Trump pulled Zelenskyy toward him. "This is an unconscious show that Trump can move him around," she said. "Zelenskyy sways but doesn't move his feet preferring to keep his independence."Other experts said Trump's touch crossed into condescension. "Trump is manhandling the president of a country. He's got a hold of him and is doing these really minimizing actions with Zelenskyy," said Denise M. Dudley, a psychologist and author of Making Relationships Last. Xinhua News Agency / Getty Images Noting that the Ukrainian president is physically smaller than Trump, she said she believes "a more socially sophisticated person" in this position would avoid taking actions that emphasize the diminutive qualities of the person they're talking to."But Trump is just going for it," Dudley added. "He's putting his hand on top of his shoulder. He's putting his arm around him in a very patronizing way, as if to say, 'You're not on my level. I can usher you in like you're my date to the prom.' He's not treating him like an equal."Wood similarly saw these gestures as belittling. "The way Trump brings his arm up and around the shoulder, back and neck of Zelenskyy and pulls him in is kind of like a dad telling a kid 'you better behave,'" she said. The suit interaction sent mixed signals. Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Another telling moment came when the topic of Zelenskyy's suit came up - a wardrobe choice that was notable given the previous criticism of the Ukrainian president's choice of clothing by conservatives. Brian Glenn of right-wing outlet Real America's Voice - who had chided Zelenskyy for wearing his usual military-style attire instead of a formal suit during his February visit - told the foreign leader, "You look fabulous in that suit." Trump expressed his agreement with that sentiment.GLENN: You look fabulous in that suitTRUMP: That's the one that attacked you last timeZELENSKYY: I remember that. You're in the same suit. I changed mine. pic.twitter.com/cuTIYHmEbN- Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 18, 2025 @atrupar/X / Via Twitter: @atrupar "Trump does touch Zelenskyy when referring to the suit," Brown said. "This is a way to connect and also seems like he's showing Zelenskyy off in pride but belittling him just a touch with his tone when he says, 'I said the same thing.' Considering that last time Zelenskyy showed up in more casual attire, Trump now has proof that he has control." D