Biden Accidentally Refers to Zelenskyy as “President Putin” Ahead of High-Stakes Press Conference

President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin”during the closing ceremony of the NATO leaders’ summit in Washington, D.C. while inviting him to speak.

Moments later, Biden corrected himself, emphasizing, “President Putin? We’re going to beat President Putin. I’m so focused on beating Putin we gotta worry about it. Anyway.”

Zelenskyy, undeterred by the slip, humorously responded at the podium, saying, “I’m better,” before continuing his address to the summit.

Tonight’s incident comes as Biden, 81, faces intense scrutiny within his party and from the public ahead of a crucial press conference.

BREAKING: Joe Biden mistakenly refers to Volodymyr Zelenskyy as 'President Putin'

Read more: https://t.co/oStgi4kJiw

📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/WRYTdan7bP

— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 11, 2024

The President is battling criticisms, including concerns about his age and ability to govern for another term.

Following a widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump, Biden’s campaign has faced internal turmoil, with Democrats urging him to reconsider his candidacy.

This press conference marks Biden’s first unscripted public appearance this year, a moment that will be closely watched to assess his ability to handle unscripted exchanges with reporters.

Further missteps tonight could escalate calls from within the Democratic Party for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 election.

In a recent interview, Biden defended his candidacy, refusing to take a cognitive test and asserting his confidence in his ability to defeat Trump.

Despite mounting pressure, Biden reiterated his commitment to running, citing strong support from within the Democratic Party and his record as President.

However, influential figures like Nancy Pelosi and actor George Clooney have suggested that Biden’s time to make a decision is running out.

The press conference, scheduled for 6:30 pm local time, will provide a crucial platform for Biden to address these concerns directly.