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Trump Administration Sent U.S. Officials to Arlington Cemetery for Joint Ceremony with Russian Diplomats, Ending Three-Year Ban—Only to Be Mocked by Russia Over Defeat in Vietnam

Gravestones in a graveyard, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, US Photo: JCB Prod / PantherMedia / JCB Prod

On April 25, 2025, Russia marked Elbe Day at Arlington Cemetery alongside U.S. State Department officials, whose attendance had been banned for the previous three years. In return, the Trump administration received humiliating remarks from the Russian MFA highlighting America's defeat in Saigon.

The day approaches marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe. Commemorating this event is undoubtedly significant, yet Russia has transformed it into one of the cornerstone myths shaping its modern identity.

However, Russia continually neglects to acknowledge its own aggressive role in initiating the war through its occupation of the Baltic states and Poland. Equally overlooked is the fact that Ukraine and Belarus suffered greater losses than Russia itself, and that victory was made possible largely due to substantial support from the United States—without which the Eastern Front would likely have collapsed.

It is therefore unsurprising that Russian media channels and social media platforms are saturated with exploitation of this historical narrative. Russian ambassadors abroad use this occasion to either celebrate, lecture, or criticize their host nations, depending on whether they perceive them as allies or adversaries.

Eighty years ago, the Soviet Union and the United States were allies of necessity, united not by mutual affinity, but by a common enemy. The Cold War "normalized" their relationship. A subsequent period of strained coexistence ended decisively with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Trump sought to court Russia, Moscow skillfully leveraged this to enhance its own influence.

A peculiar event in this context took place on April 25 at Arlington National Cemetery, marking the anniversary of the World War II-era meeting on the Elbe River. The ceremony commemorated the historic encounter 80 years ago near the town of Torgau, where advancing Soviet troops from the east met American forces pushing westward, effectively splitting Germany in two.

The 2025 Elbe Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery was noteworthy because Russia was permitted to organize the event, which was also attended by a representative from the U.S. Department of State, as confirmed by a NATO member-state diplomat residing in Washington. Russia’s foreign ministry, however, emphasized that the previous U.S. administration had denied permission for the ceremony for three consecutive years.

For context, Arlington is part of the U.S. national cemetery system managed by the Army. The cemetery was established during the American Civil War on land confiscated from the family estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Covering 259 hectares, Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place for 420,000 individuals.

Commemorating Elbe Day was strategically important for Moscow, helping it restore positions and mislead perceptions in the U.S., though Russia did not overlook other historical events. 

April 30 marked the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. Historically, the U.S. supported South Vietnam, while Russia’s predecessor, the Soviet Union, backed North Vietnam. Unsurprisingly, Russian propaganda labeled the fall of Saigon a liberation.

The fall of Saigon has been compared to Kabul's capture by the Taliban in 2021, highlighting a clear similarity: in both instances, the U.S. had to withdraw its troops hastily, in a manner resembling retreat rather than orderly departure. Russia emphasizes this narrative to persuade the global audience that it is unbeatable—even the United States, it argues, has repeatedly failed. It's difficult to imagine the U.S. making similar public posts or official statements about, for example, the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989.

Perpetuating the belief within the Trump administration that Moscow genuinely seeks improved relations is crucial for Russia. At the same time, Russia deliberately emphasizes American defeats, ensuring any rapprochement is accompanied by humiliating rhetoric.

These two posts by Russia’s Foreign Ministry succinctly illustrate, almost textbook-style, Russia’s strategy toward the United States. Moscow's message suggests it's preferable to be allies and meet peacefully—on the Dnieper, for example—rather than engage in open or covert conflicts. Although Russian and U.S. forces aren't directly confronting each other in Ukraine at present, the U.S. has provided military assistance to Kyiv for three consecutive years. Yet, Russia’s underlying message consistently resonates with the ominous slogan: “We can do it again.”

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