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During his visit to Ireland, the Ukrainian leader was asked by a reporter about how he felt when Biden made the blunder. ‘It’s a mistake,’ Zelenskyy replied read more
 "Zelenskyy comes to Biden's defence, brushes off 'President Putin' fiasco")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds delegation level talks with US President Joe Biden. AP
Days after US President Joe Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin,” the latter has brushed off the gaffe and downplayed the whole ordeal by calling it “a mistake”.
On the final day of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) Summit in Washington, Biden introduced Zelenskyy by taking the name of his archnemesis, Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he quickly corrected himself, leaving the host of world leaders awkwardly defending him.
During his visit to Ireland, the Ukrainian leader was asked by a reporter about how he felt when Biden made the blunder. “It’s a mistake,” Zelenskyy replied. “I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," he added.
NATO leaders come to Biden’s defence
Before Zelenskyy, several European leaders defended Biden’s gaffes at the summit. “Slips of tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said when asked by reporters about Biden confusing Zelenskyy with Putin.
The sentiment was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking before Biden’s gaffes, said he and the president were able to address a number of issues “at pace” during their first meeting.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Biden looked “well” and that he attended all summit sessions, unlike other leaders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was less effusive but praised Biden’s organisation of “a very good summit”.
When that butcher Putin invaded Ukraine, Trump called it “genius” and “wonderful.”
But people would rather talk about how I mix up names.
Biden himself took to X to address public scrutiny. “When that butcher Putin invaded Ukraine, Trump called it ‘genius’ and ‘wonderful.’ But people would rather talk about how I mix up names,” he wrote on X.
With inputs from agencies.
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English (US) ·