Biden introduces Ukraine’s Zelensky as ‘President Putin’

With the eyes of domestic and international press on him at the 75th NATO summit, President Joe Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden told the crowd Thursday moments before his high-stakes press conference capping the summit.

As Biden fights for his political life with Democrats openly questioning his mental fitness for office following his first debate with Trump, the high-profile gaffe couldn’t come at a more inopportune time. Biden later Thursday is to hold a rare solo press conference that the White House had dubbed a “big boy” event to show off Biden’s capabilities under pressure.

The sideline event was convened to unveil the Ukrainian Compact, an agreement of NATO’s 32 allies and partners, that formalizes the alliance’s commitment to “Ukraine’s long-term security,” a promise made during last year’s summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. It comes before a potential second administration of former President Donald Trump, who has underscored the importance of each member spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense.

Under the compact, the group will help meet Ukraine’s immediate defense and security needs, including through security assistance and training, military equipment, as well as industrial and economic aid. In addition, it will “accelerate” efforts to build a Ukrainian future force that has “credible” defense and deterrence capabilities.

“In the event of future Russian armed attack against Ukraine following the conclusion of current hostilities, [the alliance will] convene swiftly and collectively at the most senior levels to determine appropriate next steps in supporting Ukraine as it exercises its right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, including the provision of swift and sustained security assistance and the imposition of economic and other costs on Russia,” the document states.

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Earlier Thursday, during his sideline meeting with Zelensky, Biden relied on notecards as he relayed to his Ukrainian counterpart that the United States “will stay with you. Period.”

“Today, I am proud to announce a new security assistance package for Ukraine,” Biden said. “We are working with our NATO allies to ensure Ukraine is flying F-16s this summer and show the world we stand with Ukraine now and in the future.”