DUBLIN – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 13 played down U.S. 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 that “it’s a mistake.”
“I think the United States has been very supportive of the Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think,” he said.
Mr Zelensky will meet Irish leader Simon Harris at the airport later on 13 July, their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil.
Asked about his message to Ireland, Mr 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.
Mr Zelensky is making this visit on his return from Washington, where he attended a summit to mark the 75th anniversary of NATO.
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 in announcing a NATO-Ukraine pact.
He walked away from the podium before returning and exclaiming: “President Putin! You are going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky, I am 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. AFP
