Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky broke his silence after U.S. President Joe Biden mistakenly called him “President Putin” at the NATO Summit on Thursday.
Zelensky encountered reporters on Saturday, July 13, soon after he touched down at Shannon Airport in County Clare, Ireland, where he was greeted by Irish Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Simon Harris.
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When a journalist asked about Biden’s error, Zelensky said: “It’s a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support to Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so.”
Currently, the U.S. is providing military support to Ukraine in its war with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, who invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Since the invasion, the U.S. has committed more than $52 billion in security assistance to support “Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russia’s aggression, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO,” according to the Department of Defense.
Biden’s gaffe involving Zelensky’s name came at a pivotal moment in his campaign leading up to November’s presidential election, as some Democrats are calling for him to drop out. There is mounting concern about Biden’s ability to perform against Donald Trump. This has been exacerbated by the President’s much-criticized performance at the first debate, and subsequent stumbles.
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“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 at the NATO summit, celebrating the alliance’s 75 year anniversary. Audible gasps were heard throughout the room, and some people called out, “Zelensky!” to correct Biden.
Biden then amended his mistake. Returning to the microphone, he clarified: “We’re gonna beat President Putin. President Zelensky. I was so focused on beating Putin.”
Zelensky and Harris’ meeting comes four days after a major Kyiv children’s hospital was struck by a Russian missile.
Ukraine’s Zelensky was asked about Biden’s name gaffe by reporters when he arrived in Ireland.