The image was jarring: U.S. soldiers on their knees, meticulously unrolling a crimson carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin at Andrews Air Force Base. This gesture during Donald Trump’s high-stakes August 2025 meeting with the Kremlin leader ignited immediate fury and accusations of subservience to a man accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Critics lambasted the scene as a stark symbol of Trump’s deference to Putin amid fraught negotiations over Ukraine’s future—negotiations that ultimately collapsed, leaving Kyiv feeling sidelined and betrayed.

Why Did U.S. Soldiers Kneel for Putin’s Arrival?

The Pentagon clarified that rolling out ceremonial red carpets is standard protocol for high-profile arrivals at military bases. However, the sight of kneeling troops—often reserved for solemn occasions like medal ceremonies—struck many as excessively deferential. Retired Lt. Col. Adam Kinzinger, a prominent Republican critic, swiftly denounced the justification. “The new MAGA spin is that soldiers kneel on military bases for carpets. This is completely false. It’s a choice,” he stated on social media (X, August 17, 2025). Kinzinger challenged the administration to extend identical honors to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, scheduled to visit Andrews days later.

The optics intensified scrutiny of Trump’s long-standing affinity for Putin. Despite an active ICC arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Trump welcomed him without conditions. Earlier in 2025, Trump and Vice President Vance reportedly clashed with Zelenskyy over perceived “ingratitude” for U.S. aid, contrasting sharply with the red-carpet reception for Russia’s leader.

Is a Double Standard at Play for Ukraine?

Analysts point to a troubling pattern. Trump has repeatedly excluded Zelenskyy from negotiations determining Ukraine’s sovereignty while publicly chastising him. Former State Department official Heather Conley noted, “Symbolism matters profoundly in diplomacy. Kneeling soldiers for Putin, juxtaposed with dismissive treatment of Zelenskyy, sends a damaging message about U.S. priorities” (Center for Strategic & International Studies report, August 2025).

The White House defended the protocol, but bipartisan condemnation mounted. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) called the display “a disgraceful humiliation of American service members to flatter a dictator.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials expressed dismay, viewing the incident as emblematic of their eroding leverage in U.S.-brokered talks.

The fallout underscores a critical vulnerability: When diplomatic gestures appear lopsided, they risk undermining strategic goals and alienating allies.

The kneeling soldiers incident epitomizes Trump’s contentious diplomacy: prioritizing Putin’s ego over consistent alliances, deepening global skepticism, and jeopardizing Ukraine’s defense. As Zelenskyy’s Andrews visit approaches, scrutiny intensifies—demanding transparency and equity in U.S. statecraft. Demand accountability from leaders who blur the lines between protocol and pandering.

Must Know

Why were soldiers kneeling for Putin’s red carpet?
While rolling out red carpets is routine for dignitaries at military bases, the kneeling posture was unusual. The Pentagon stated it was part of ceremonial protocol, but critics argue it symbolized undue subservience to Putin.

How did Ukraine react to the Trump-Putin meeting?
Ukrainian officials felt betrayed, citing their exclusion from negotiations about their country’s future and contrasting the lavish welcome for Putin with Zelenskyy’s past confrontations with Trump.

Was Putin’s ICC arrest warrant acknowledged?
No. Trump ignored the ICC warrant for Putin’s alleged war crimes, permitting his entry to the U.S. despite international legal pressure.

Will Zelenskyy receive similar treatment at Andrews?
Observers like Adam Kinzinger demanded equal protocol. The administration’s response to Zelenskyy’s visit will test claims of impartiality.

How did bipartisan lawmakers respond?
Figures from both parties condemned the spectacle. Many viewed it as a national embarrassment that humiliated U.S. troops to appease Russia.