Susanna Reid was forced to apologise during an interview on Good Morning Britain after a reporter made an 'offensive gesture' live on air.
The show discussed the recent updates surrounding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
John, who has spent the last three years reporting from the front line, was asked 'how shocked' Ukrainian people were about Donald Trump's perspective on the conflict and country.
As footage showed Ukrainian soldiers with missing limbs at a rehabilitation clinic, John went on to explain how he had discussed the topic with one of the men there.
The reporter explained, 'There's a bloke there that has lost both arms and one leg and so he's got two plastic hands.
Journalist John Sweeney (right) featured on Monday's instalment of the ITV news programme from Kyiv, Ukraine
John, who has spent the last three years reporting from the front line, was asked 'how shocked' Ukrainian people were about Donald Trump 's perspective on the conflict and country
John, left, reenacted a gesture that a man did when discussing his thoughts on Russian President Vladimir Putin
'And I said what do you think about Trump?' before he said: 'I don't want to swear.'
The Ukrainians have done some technology that the muscles in his stump in his arm can now control this thing [the hand.]
'And it's slow and he's learning, but he said 'wait wait wait' and he gave Putin the finger,' he added while reenacting the gesture. 'And it made me cry.'
Host Susanna responded: 'I understand that you felt personally the power of that. We do have to apologise for that gesture on breakfast TV.
'It is still considered a highly offensive gesture John, and of course there are children watching.'
John went on to say: 'I am very sorry, Susanna. I am an old war reporter - and sometimes I forget where I am.'
Some viewers spotted the gesture and took to social media to discuss the episode.
One posted on X: 'Prim & proper Susanna Reid tells off John Sweeney over a Ukrainian soldier who had lost multiple limbs in the war for using his prosthetic hand to make a 'finger gesture' #GMB.';
'Did I miss an unfortunate hand gesture? #GMB.';
'Apologizing for a gesture!! FFS! The ‘world’ has gone mad!! #GMB.';
'@johnsweeneyroar giving the finger on #GMB Brilliant, John.';
Some viewers spotted the gesture and took to social media to discuss the episode, with one commenting, 'Did I miss an unfortunate hand gesture?'
It comes after viewers last week ripped into the 'insufferable' hosts and accused them of 'trying to one-up each other' with constant interruptions.
Kate Garraway, 57, and Adil Ray, 50, hosted Friday's episode of the ITV morning news programme.
They discussed the top headlines, including tension in the Middle East, Raneem's Law and Britain's Got Talent.
However, the presenter duo faced backlash from their audience, who were not impressed with the choice of hosts.
Some even penned on social media that they would be changing channels to watch the BBC instead.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 from 6am and is available to stream on ITVX.
