Biden accidentally introduces Ukraine’s Zelensky as ‘President Putin’
Joe Biden has introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin at the final NATO ceremony in Washington | WATCH
US President Joe Biden mistakenly introduced Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as his Russian foe Vladimir Putin at a NATO summit in a blunder just moments before his first press conference in eight months that could decide the fate of his reelection bid.
The 81-year-old quickly corrected himself, and Zelensky quipped that he was “better” than Putin, but the gaffe intensified concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump two weeks ago.
“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,” Biden said as he announced a
NATO-Ukraine compact at the summit in Washington.
Biden turned away from the lectern before coming back and exclaiming: “President Putin! He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky -- I’m so focused on beating Putin we gotta worry about it. Anyway, Mr President.” “’I’m better,” replied Zelensky, a former television comedian turned Ukraine’s wartime leader against Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Biden’s Republican rivals were circulating the clip within minutes. The verbal slip could not have come at a worse time as Biden. There has been a steady drumbeat of Democrats calling for Biden to abandon his 2024 candidacy.
Hollywood actor and well-connected Democratic supporter George Clooney called on Biden to exit the race, and party grandee Nancy Pelosi has stopped short of fully backing him.
Around 14 Democratic members of the House of Representatives have openly urged the man who beat Trump four years ago to drop out, along with one Democratic senator.
A poll released on Thursday showed more than half of Democrats say Biden should end his bid for a second term, and two-thirds of Americans believe he should quit the race.
AFP
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