Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called Joe Biden’s gaffe, whom he referred to as “President Putin” at the NATO summit in Washington on Thursday, a “mistake” that he can “forget.”
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“It’s a mistake. I think the United States has been very supportive of the Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think we can,” the Ukrainian head of state said at a press conference at Shannon Airport in western Ireland.
Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Ireland before returning to Ukraine after the NATO summit in Washington.
On Thursday, Joe Biden announced “President Putin” as he welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky on stage.
“I now want to turn the floor over to the president of Ukraine, who has both courage and determination. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President Putin,” the US president said.
Joe Biden, who orchestrated the Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, immediately recomposed himself.
He walked away from the microphone before realizing his mistake and came back to say: “He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky. I’m very focused on beating Putin.”
Volodymyr Zelensky met with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris at Shannon Airport.
“Thank you very much for your support, thank you to Ireland for hosting many Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion,” the Ukrainian president said.
Simon Harris said he would visit Ukraine “in the coming weeks” and invited Zelensky to return to Ireland for an official visit.
During their bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed a possible deal on demining, energy, humanitarian aid and food security, Simon Harris said.
