US President Donald Trump spared no effort in welcoming his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as they met face-to-face for the first time since 2018.
The encounter at an Alaska airbase was special for three countries- the US, Ukraine, and Russia, as the meeting was to end the war, but it went viral for completely different reasons.
Trump greeted Putin with an effusive display of warmth, in stark contrast to his receptions of other world leaders. Upon meeting, Trump clapped as Putin approached, extended a warm handshake, and exchanged smiles with the Russian leader.
A photograph from the airbase grabbed all the attention as it showed US soldiers kneeling at the base of the staircase extended for Putin’s arrival from his presidential plane, giving the impression of straightening the red carpet.
Mustafa Nayyem, former head of Ukraine's State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, shared the photo with the caption: "Make kneeling great again."
California Governor Gavin Newsom also shared the photo and called the picture "disgusting."
Several other users also reacted to the viral photo calling it a shameful and absolute disgrace. One of the users also said, "This is the most sickening photo you will ever see! OUR United States Military on their knees laying down the red carpet for an authoritarian dictator, a Murderer, killer, and an enemy of this country."
The encounter at an Alaska airbase was special for three countries- the US, Ukraine, and Russia, as the meeting was to end the war, but it went viral for completely different reasons.
Trump greeted Putin with an effusive display of warmth, in stark contrast to his receptions of other world leaders. Upon meeting, Trump clapped as Putin approached, extended a warm handshake, and exchanged smiles with the Russian leader.
A photograph from the airbase grabbed all the attention as it showed US soldiers kneeling at the base of the staircase extended for Putin’s arrival from his presidential plane, giving the impression of straightening the red carpet.
Mustafa Nayyem, former head of Ukraine's State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, shared the photo with the caption: "Make kneeling great again."
California Governor Gavin Newsom also shared the photo and called the picture "disgusting."
Trump had our BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS ON THEIR KNEES to roll out the RED CARPET for his best friend VLAD!
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 15, 2025
DISGUSTING. pic.twitter.com/GoGlD2Nof8
This is the most SICKENING photo you will ever see! OUR United States Military on their KNEES laying down the red carpet for an authoritarian dictator, a Murderer, killer, and an ENEMY of this Country pic.twitter.com/1DYPkhHKOe
— Trisha Ann 🍒 (@DestrosGirl) August 16, 2025
Several other users also reacted to the viral photo calling it a shameful and absolute disgrace. One of the users also said, "This is the most sickening photo you will ever see! OUR United States Military on their knees laying down the red carpet for an authoritarian dictator, a Murderer, killer, and an enemy of this country."
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