Before correcting himself during the NATO conference in Washington, US President Joe Biden mispronounced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports RTE.
Biden addressed Mr. Zelensky, saying, “And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin.”
About two seconds later, Mr. Biden corrected himself and said, “President Putin, you’re going to beat President Putin, President Zelensky. My whole emphasis is on defeating Putin,” reports RTE.
When Mr. Biden confused the president of Ukraine as Mr. Putin, the gathering at the conference gasped. The remarks were made during a summit event when the US president announced a plan with partners to help Ukraine with its security requirements.
In response to the remarks made by the Democratic President, Mr. Zelensky declared, “I am better (than Mr. Putin).”
“You are a hell of a lot better,” the US president said, evoking laughter from those in the audience as Mr. Zelensky launched into his own speech, reports RTE.
Thus far, Mr. Biden has promised to continue running for reelection and to be his party’s presidential nominee, asserting that he is in the greatest position to defeat Mr. Trump in the elections scheduled for November.
Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, supported Mr. Biden following the president’s error. Mr Scholz continued: “Slips of tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them,” reports RTE.
Later, during the NATO summit, Mr. Biden gave a lone news conference. It was his first time seeing the media since November, and throughout the session, he was questioned about his mistake. In response, he claimed that as long as he led, the NATO summit was successful.
“Have you seen a more successful conference?” Mr Biden said to reporters when asked about potential concerns among foreign officials about his fitness for re-election, reports RTE.
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