A viral image from the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska has sparked controversy, showing US troops kneeling to adjust a red carpet for the Russian president’s arrival. The meeting marked the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders since 2018, highlighting a striking display of camaraderie.
Trump’s Grand Welcome for Putin
🤝 The President of Russia Vladimir #Putin was welcomed by @POTUS.
The two Leaders walked along a red carpet past the guard of honour and posed for an official photograph.#RussiaUSA pic.twitter.com/KXD4FmQbSN
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) August 15, 2025
US President Donald Trump left no stone unturned in welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin. The warm reception stood out compared to Trump’s past greetings for other world leaders.
The two leaders met at an Alaska air base, where Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin — the first time the Russian leader stepped onto Western soil since ordering the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump waited patiently on the tarmac, clapping as Putin approached, before sharing a handshake and warm smiles.
The Viral Image That Sparked Reactions
In Ukraine, where hopes were pinned on Trump to advance peace, an image from the meeting went viral. It showed US soldiers kneeling at the bottom of the staircase, appearing to straighten the red carpet rolled out for Putin.
Former Ukrainian official Mustafa Nayyem, ex-head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, shared the photo with a caption: “Make kneeling great again.”
Make Kneeling Great Again pic.twitter.com/dqtZLxKhBK
— Mustafa Nayyem (@mefimus) August 15, 2025
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: What Happened?
The high-stakes summit lasted over three hours but produced no apparent breakthrough on Ukraine. While both leaders expressed optimism, they provided no details of a ceasefire.
Trump described the meeting as “extremely productive”, stating: “We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to.”
However, he acknowledged that a few significant issues remain unresolved.
Onus on Zelensky After Talks
Speaking to Fox News after the summit, Trump shifted responsibility to Ukraine, saying: “Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but it’s up to President Zelensky.”
Trump rated the meeting a “ten out of ten”, emphasizing that the next steps depend on Ukraine and European nations.
