In a notable gaffe during the NATO summit in Washington, DC on July 11, 2024, US President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as ‘President Putin’ while introducing him to the stage. The incident occurred during a joint statement by leaders from 24 countries emphasizing Ukraine’s security as integral to the Euro-Atlantic region.Biden quickly corrected himself, stating, “I’m going to defeat President Putin, President Zelensky. I’m very focused on defeating Putin”. Zelensky, demonstrating diplomatic tact, responded humorously, saying, “I’m better,” to which Biden replied, “You’re a hell of a lot better”.This verbal slip-up has reignited concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and his ability to run for re-election. The gaffe comes at a particularly sensitive time, as Biden faces increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party. Reports indicate that 14 Democratic members of Congress have called for him to step down from the presidential race, following what some perceived as a poor performance in a recent presidential debate against Republican rival Donald Trump.The NATO summit, marking the alliance’s 75th anniversary, brought together leaders from key allied nations including the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK, as well as representatives from the European Council and European Commission. The focus of the event was on reaffirming support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.Biden is scheduled to hold a press conference later in the evening, his first such appearance without a script or teleprompter since November. This upcoming event is viewed as a critical test of Biden’s ability to address concerns about his fitness for another four-year term in the White House.
Key points
- President Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Zelensky as ‘President Putin’ during a NATO summit.
- The gaffe has intensified concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and fitness for re-election.
- The incident occurred during a significant NATO event focusing on Ukraine’s security.
- Biden faces increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party to withdraw his re-election bid.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Biden mistaking Zelensky for Putin, one source incorrectly states that Biden mistook Putin for Zelensky.
