Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said President Biden’s mistaken reference to him as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday was a mistake that could be forgotten.
“It’s a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support to the Ukrainians,” Zelensky told reporters on Saturday, Reuters reported. “We can forget some mistakes, I think so.”
Zelensky was referring to the moment Biden introduced him at a NATO summit event in Washington earlier this week.
“I now want to turn the floor over to the president of Ukraine, who has both courage and determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden said.
Biden quickly corrected himself, saying: “He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky.”
“I’m so focused on beating Putin that we have to worry about that,” Biden joked.
Zelensky intervened and said: “I’m better.”
“You’re so much better,” Biden said.
The mix-up comes at a time when Biden is under increased scrutiny. The accident has drawn widespread attention as the 81-year-old faces calls from members of his party to step aside and allow someone else to take on former President Trump in the election.
Biden had just had several days of meetings with international leaders, many of which focused on supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
The Zelensky-Putin comment came just hours before Biden accidentally referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” at a news conference after the NATO summit.
At the press conference, Biden spoke harshly of Putin and the war. Biden said Putin instilled fear in Europe and called him a “murderous madman.”
Russia responded to Biden, calling his comments “absolutely unacceptable.”
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