Biden's Putin slip: Internet buzzes over international gaffe
A broad response on the internet was generated by Joe Biden's gaffe when, while giving the floor to Volodymyr Zelensky, he introduced him as "President Putin." Commentators admit it is "the biggest gaffe that could happen in international diplomacy."
6:27 AM EDT, July 12, 2024
After presenting the "Ukraine Compact" declaration signed by 23 countries, including Poland, Joe Biden was supposed to give the floor to the President of Ukraine. The President of the USA introduced Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin."
Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin. President Putin — he’s going to beat President Putin — President Zelenskyy," Biden immediately corrected himself, trying to get out of the awkward situation.
"I’m so focused on beating Putin, we got to worry about it. Anyway, Mr. President," joked the president.
Although Biden and Zelensky turned the situation into a joke, a flood of comments pointing out the gaffe made by the re-election-seeking U.S. President appeared online.
"We all know Biden doesn’t mean it. It’s an accident/mistake. But announcing Zelenskyy as Putin is surely THE biggest gaff you can make in international diplomacy right now," noted Brussels correspondent Jack Parrock on Platform X.
The U.S. President's gaffe became fodder for the Republican Party, whose candidate for President of the USA is Donald Trump. On their profile on Platform X, they recalled Biden's words before the NATO summit, where he assured it would be the best occasion to confirm his capability to hold presidential power in the USA for another term. The gaffe is meant to undermine these words.
Politicians from other countries have shown more understanding. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that such errors are nothing extraordinary, especially in live speeches.
"I think that he made his points, and he argued why it is necessary to work on a good cooperation globally with our friends and allies of democracy — democratic states," emphasized Scholz.
