'Disgusted' Zelensky can't hide 'inner anger' as Putin fails to show up at peace talks

By Ciaran McGrath, Senior News Reporter

Zelensky delivers statement after arriving in Ankara

Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement to journalists shortly after landing in Ankara clearly betrayed his "disappointment and disgust,” a body language expert has said. The Ukrainian President has flown into Turkey for talks with NATO leaders in the country’s capital but is also planning to travel to Istanbul to meet with a Russian delegation.

Nevertheless, Vladimir Putin’s decision not to attend but instead sent an aide, Vladimir Medinsky, has let to many people concluding the discussions will essentially be meaningless. Mr Zelensky himself voiced his disappointment at the Russian President's decision to send a “deputy” rather than coming himself. Ms James told Express.co.uk: "There is an attempt by Zelensky to spin something positive out of this 'meeting' in Turkey, but his body language suggests both disappointment and disgust at the Putin no-show.

Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky (Image: Sky News/GETTY)

"His brows are pinched in an expression of deep concern here as he talks to the press and his forehead is lined in what looks like sadness or disappointment."

There was also a "nose-wrinkle of disgust" as Mr Zelensky spoke, hinting at "some inner anger", plus an expression of what she said was "pain in his eyes" as he scanned the area.

Ms James continued: "His small head batons add emphasis to his words, suggesting how much his hopes might have been pinned on this meeting.

Volodymyr Zelensky on the tarmac in Ankara (Image: Sky News)

"The anger re-surfaces as his lips pucker and thrust forward as he speaks but then he performs a lip clamp with his mouth pulled down at the corners in a strong mouth-shrug of total disappointment.

"There is a micro-expression that involves his entire face as his features pull inward, closing his eye and raising his mouth and his upper cheeks in a 'wince' of inner pain as he tries to sound positive about his meeting, nevertheless."

Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked today by CNN if his boss would be attending the talks, simply said: "No."