Russian President Vladimir Putin is known for a peculiar walking style—keeping one arm, typically his right, rigidly by his side. This distinctive posture is expected to be on display once again during his upcoming meeting with former US President Donald Trump, scheduled for Friday, 15 August, at a US military facility in Alaska. The high-stakes summit will focus on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump, now 79, warned during a virtual meeting with European leaders that Moscow would face harsher sanctions if the war continues. Speaking later at the Kennedy Center, he indicated that a second meeting with Putin would be unlikely without satisfactory progress in the first.
While the geopolitical implications of the meeting are being closely watched, Putin’s unusual gait has also drawn attention. Experts suggest the behaviour is not due to any medical condition but rather stems from his 16-year career in the Soviet intelligence agency, the KGB. The posture—keeping the dominant arm still and close to the body—is believed to be a tactical habit, allowing for the quick draw of a weapon if needed.
This theory gained traction following a 2015 study published in the British Medical Journal by researchers from Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands. They coined the term “gunslinger’s gait” to describe this phenomenon, referencing KGB training manuals that instructed agents to keep their weapon ready in the right hand while advancing with the left side forward.
Neurologist Bastiaan Bloem, who specialises in movement disorders, commented on the study, calling it “unusual” but underscoring its serious implications. He noted the importance of distinguishing between signs of neurological disease and behavioural conditioning.
Thus, when Putin walks stiffly beside Trump, it may not be a mere quirk but a vestige of his espionage past—a silent, physical reminder of the training that continues to influence his conduct on the world stage.
