Russian media have seemingly relished reporting on a string of slip-ups made by President Joe Biden during the NATO summit in Washington and press conference on Thursday, with a number of the outlets highlighting that the 81-year-old may not be fit for another term in office.
As NATO leaders and diplomats gathered to celebrate the Ukraine Compact, an agreement unifying countries in their support of Ukraine, Biden appeared to mistakenly call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "Putin," before quickly correcting himself.
In another mix-up during a press conference shortly later, Biden, when asked whether Vice President Kamala Harris would be qualified to take over his job if necessary, called her "Vice President Trump."
"Biden's latest remarks have shocked even his most loyal allies," the Russian state TV program Vesti said on Friday. "Biden had a chance to show himself as a 'big boss,' but he made the whole world laugh at America."
Biden made the verbal gaffes amid a growing chorus from fellow Democrats to pull out from the 2024 election campaign in the aftermath of his poor CNN debate performance against former President Donald Trump. The presidential debate on June 27 raised questions about Biden's mental acuity and his ability to win the election in November.
"Cringe, cringe, and more cringe: NATO leaders, White House cabinet sheepishly nod, smile at Biden's blunders," Russian state news agency Sputnik said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, sharing clips of the exchanges.
"Zelensky, embarrassed, stands in bewilderment as Biden 'replaces' him with Putin as president of Ukraine, while Scholz forces a smile at the comment. Meanwhile, Blinken sits unblinkingly shocked at Biden saying he picked Trump as vice president. See the look on their faces as Biden's cringeworthy gaffes make him a laughingstock," Sputnik said.
On Telegram, journalist at the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), Andrey Rudenko, described Biden as an "old man," while pro-Kremlin Russian news outlet Lentach said on X: "Grandpa, take your pills."
Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti described Biden's error in calling Zelensky the name of his Russian counterpart as a "curious incident," noting "faint applause from a shocked audience."
Biden's error in introducing the Ukrainian president drew audible gasps from people in the room, and some could be heard shouting "Zelensky!" to correct him.
Zelensky initially appeared not to react to Biden's mistake. When he took the microphone, he said: "I'm better." Biden responded, "You're a hell of a lot better."
More than a dozen House and Senate Democrats so far have called for Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
Biden told reporters on Thursday that he wouldn't drop out of the 2024 presidential election unless polling data showed there was no way he could win.
Do you have a tip on a world news story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Russia-Ukraine war? Let us know via worldnews@newsweek.com.
fairness meter
To Rate This Article
About the writer
Isabel van Brugen is a Newsweek Reporter based in Kuala Lumpur. Her focus is reporting on the Russia-Ukraine war. Isabel ... Read more
