The Pentagon on Monday appeared to hang the Ukrainian flag upside down during a virtual meeting with the eastern European country's military leaders.

In a video published online by the Pentagon, Ukrainian flags can be seen in the background of a Zoom meeting hosted by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, top US General Mark Milley, and Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russian, Ukrainian, and Eurasian affairs.

The Ukrainian flags, alternating between American flags, looked to be hung with the yellow half on top, instead of the correct way, with the blue half on top.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov was on the call with his team, and officials from 44 other countries also attended.

Advertisement

Austin and Reznikov have previously met in front of the correct display of the Ukrainian flag, which has been used in the country since 1848. 

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. 

Monday's virtual meeting focused on Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, the country's combat requirements, and international donations.

"We're hoping to train Ukrainian forces on many new capabilities," Austin said during the meeting. "I know that everyone here has shared that sense of urgency."

Advertisement

He added: "We all understand the threat that Russian aggression poses to European security, and to the rules-based international order that keeps us all secure."  

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyxsc2tmKCnnmLCrL7AoqWeZZahrqh51KmqopyVYrGww81mp6udo6h6pLvNn5yrnZ6Ysm5%2Bj2tpZm0%3D