Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday downplayed US President Joe Biden’s gaffe in mistakenly portraying him as his Russian foe Vladimir Putin, saying “we can forget some mistakes.”
Beginning a visit to Ireland, Zelensky told reporters at Shannon Airport: “It’s a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support to the Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so.”
Zelensky will meet Irish leader Simon Harris at the airport later on Saturday, their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil.
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Asked for his message to Ireland, Zelensky said: “First of all, thank you very much for your support, thank you to Ireland for hosting many Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the beginning of the Russian invasion.”
Harris is expected to voice Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s bid for EU membership during the talks.
Zelensky is making the visit after returning from Washington, where he attended a summit to mark NATO’s 75th anniversary.
It was at the summit that Biden, 81, made the mistake, before quickly correcting himself.
“And now I want to turn the call over to the president of Ukraine, who has both courage and determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden said as he announced a NATO-Ukraine pact.
Biden stepped away from the podium before returning and exclaiming: “President Putin! You’re going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky… I’m so focused on beating Putin that we have to worry about that. Anyway, Mr. President.”
Zelensky immediately joked that he was “better” than Putin, but the incident heightened concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity.
Biden has insisted he is committed to running for another term in November.
