Biden Mistakenly Calls Zelensky ‘President Putin’ at NATO Summit

During the recent NATO summit in Washington DC, US President Joe Biden caused a moment of confusion when he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as ‘President Putin‘. The slip of the tongue occurred as Biden, addressing the global audience, introduced Zelensky to the attendees as ‘President Putin,’ momentarily mixing up the Ukrainian leader with Russia‘s Vladimir Putin, who has been leading the conflict against Ukraine.

Despite the initial mix-up, Biden quickly corrected himself, acknowledging the error with a chuckle. Zelensky, known for his quick wit, humorously replied to Biden’s gaffe by saying, ‘I’m better than Putin,’ prompting laughter amongst those present. Biden, in good spirits, responded, ‘You are a hell of a lot better,’ while attributing his slip to being ‘so focused on beating Putin.’

The incident comes at a time when concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and his ability to navigate international relations competently have been raised. With the upcoming US presidential election looming, the momentary lapse has sparked debates about Biden’s suitability for office, with some of his supporters even calling for his withdrawal in favor of a younger candidate, as Republican challenger Donald Trump seizes the opportunity to capitalize on the error.

Following the NATO summit, Zelensky made light of the situation and continued his diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris upon his arrival in County Clare. Expressing gratitude to Ireland for its support for Ukrainian refugees and solidarity during the Russian invasion, Zelensky highlighted the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis.

Zelensky’s presence at the NATO summit underscores Ukraine’s strategic position in the ongoing conflict with Russia and its efforts to garner support from Western allies. As the situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with reports of Russian bombings and ground offensives causing widespread destruction, Zelensky’s diplomatic maneuvers aim to secure backing from key stakeholders in the European Political Community meeting scheduled for next week.