It wasn’t the first time, but it was probably one of the most unpleasant gaffes the US president has ever made. At the NATO summit, Biden introduced the Ukrainian head of state as President Putin. Now Zelensky has reacted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared calm about U.S. President Joe Biden’s latest gaffe. “The United States has given a lot of support to Ukrainians,” Zelensky said when asked about it during a stop in Ireland. “I think we can forget some mistakes.”
The mistake caused ridicule and hatred. During a speech at the NATO summit, US President Joe Biden replaced the name of the Ukrainian president with that of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I now give the floor to the president of Ukraine, who has courage and determination,” he declared. “Ladies and gentlemen: President Putin,” he said.
The reaction of the heads of state and government of other NATO countries, who stand diagonally behind Biden, was bewildered and suspicious.
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Even as he walked away from the podium, the 81-year-old noticed the mistake. He corrected himself and apologized, saying he had been too focused on defeating Putin.
Zelensky, who was standing next to him on stage, jokingly replied: “I am better.”
The gaffe recently sparked debate about whether Biden should re-run the presidency. Biden delivered a disastrous televised duel against rival Donald Trump.
“Food practitioner. Bacon guru. Infuriatingly humble zombie enthusiast. Total student.”
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