‘It’s a mistake’: Zelenskyy says he can ‘forget’ Biden’s Putin mix-up

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has brushed off a recent gaffe by US President Joe Biden, in which Biden mistakenly referred to Zelenskyy as "President Putin" during a NATO summit. Zelenskyy met with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris on Saturday for his trip back from the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.

The incident occurred on Thursday during the NATO summit, which marked the alliance's 75th anniversary. While introducing Zelenskyy, the 81-year-old Biden stumbled and incorrectly referred to him as "President [Vladimir] Putin," the leader of Russia. Biden quickly corrected himself, saying that Zelenskyy was going to "beat" Putin.

However, the mistake drew further attention to concerns about Biden's age and mental acuity, just weeks after a widely criticized performance in the inaugural 2024 US presidential debate against Republican challenger Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at Ireland's Shannon Airport, Zelenskyy played down the incident, calling it "a mistake" that could now be forgotten.

"It's a mistake. I think [the] United States gave much support to Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader's visit to Ireland is intended to cement Dublin's support for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. Zelenskyy thanked Ireland for hosting Ukrainian refugees since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"You were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion," Zelenskyy told reporters on the tarmac.

Ireland has been a steadfast ally of Ukraine throughout the conflict. The country has provided significant humanitarian and military aid and has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine's EU membership aspirations.

Zelenskyy's meeting with Harris will strengthen the ties between the two countries further. The two leaders are likely to discuss various issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the country's path to EU integration, and the regional security situation.

The visit also comes as Ukraine continues to push for more international support in its fight against the Russian invasion. Despite significant military aid from Western allies, including the United States, Ukraine still faces a formidable challenge in repelling the Russian forces and regaining control of occupied territories.

Zelenskyy's willingness to brush off Biden's gaffe is seen as a testament to his diplomatic savvy and his focus on securing the necessary support for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction efforts. By downplaying the incident, Zelenskyy appears to be prioritizing the continued cooperation and assistance from the United States and other NATO allies over any potential political fallout from the mistaken reference.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Zelenskyy's visit to Ireland is a crucial opportunity to strengthen international solidarity and garner further support for his country's cause. With the support of allies like Ireland, Ukraine remains determined to emerge victorious from the conflict and chart a course towards a more secure and prosperous future.

Kremlin warning

the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in further civilian casualties. In two separate incidents, five civilians were killed in Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region and the southern Kherson region of Ukraine.

In the Kharkiv region, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that Russian forces had struck the village of Budy twice. The first strike hit the village, and when emergency services arrived on the scene to respond, Russian forces launched a second strike, killing a police officer and an emergency rescue official. In total, 22 people were injured in the attacks.

Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, condemned the strikes, stating, "This is not the first time that Russia has attacked emergency services while they are rescuing civilians." The targeting of first responders attempting to aid civilians is a troubling escalation in the tactics employed by the Russian forces.

Across the border in southern Ukraine, the Kherson region also saw civilian casualties as a result of Russian shelling. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that three people were killed - a 72-year-old woman, a 50-year-old woman, and a 41-year-old man. These tragic deaths underscore the ongoing toll the conflict is taking on the civilian population in the region.

While the attacks on Ukrainian civilians continued, Ukrainian forces carried out their cross-border strike, this time targeting an oil depot in the Tsimlyansky district of Russia's Rostov region. The early morning drone attack sparked a fire at the facility, marking the latest long-range strike by Kyiv's forces on a border region.

These events highlight the relentless nature of the conflict, with both sides inflicting casualties and damage on the other. The strikes on civilian areas and emergency responders by Russian forces are particularly concerning, as they demonstrate a disregard for the safety and well-being of the local population.

As the war enters its third year, the human cost continues to mount, with innocent lives lost on both sides of the border. The international community has condemned the Russian aggression, but the fighting shows no signs of abating. Diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict remain elusive, leaving the people of Ukraine to bear the brunt of the ongoing hostilities.

The situation remains volatile, and the threat of further escalation looms large. The world watches on, hoping that the cycle of violence can be broken and a path toward lasting peace can be found before more lives are lost.