Biden mistakenly introduced Zelensky as Putin at NATO summit

Washington: US President Joe Biden falsely introduces Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin At the NATO summit Thursday (July 11), just a few hours ago Press Conference This could determine the fate of his re-election campaign.

The 81-year-old quickly corrected himself, with Zelensky quipping that he was “better” than Putin, but the gaffe heightened concerns about Biden’s age and intellectual acuity. Poor debate performance Two weeks ago against Donald Trump.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I now want to turn over power to President Vladimir Putin of Ukraine, a man with both courage and resolve,” Biden said as he announced the NATO-Ukraine deal at a summit in Washington.

Biden turned away from the podium, then returned and yelled, “President Putin! He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky – I’m so focused on beating Putin, we have to worry about that. Whatever, Mr. President.”

“‘I feel better,’ ” replied Zelensky, a former TV comedian turned wartime leader of Ukraine opposing Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Biden’s Republican opponents began circulating the video within minutes.

The timing of the slip of the tongue couldn’t have been worse, as Biden is set to hold what the White House is calling a “big boy” press conference later Thursday, his first major appearance since the debate.

The solo appearance was a rare, impromptu meeting with reporters at a time when There are growing calls within the Democratic Party for him to step down..

The news conference was originally scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but is expected to be delayed by about an hour.

Democrats have repeatedly called on Biden to withdraw his 2024 candidacy.

Hollywood actor and well-connected Democratic supporter George Clooney called on Biden to withdraw from the race, while Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi Didn’t fully support him.

About 14 Democratic House members and one Democratic senator have publicly urged the man who defeated Trump four years ago to withdraw from the election.

More than half of Democrats say Biden should stop running for reelection, and two-thirds of Americans think he should drop out of the race, according to a poll released Thursday.