Zelensky's Reaction to Joe Biden Calling Him 'Putin' Goes Viral

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's reaction to President Joe Biden mistakenly introducing him as "Putin" at the NATO summit in Washington on Thursday has gone viral.

"And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin," Biden said while speaking to reporters about NATO's support for Ukraine.

"President Putin?" the U.S. president quickly said, correcting himself. "President Zelensky. I'm so focused on beating Putin."

A video of the exchange published on X, formerly Twitter, has so far been viewed more than 17 million times.

The Context

The mix-up comes at a vulnerable time for the U.S. president. Biden, 81, has been facing a growing chorus of calls to end his 2024 election campaign in the aftermath of his poor CNN debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27. The presidential debate raised questions about Biden's health and his ability to win the November 5 election.

What We Know

Biden made the error as NATO leaders and diplomats gathered to celebrate the Ukraine Compact, a bilateral agreement unifying countries in their support of Ukraine.

The gaffe drew audible gasps from people in the room, and some could be heard shouting "Zelensky!" to correct the U.S. president.

The Ukrainian president 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."

In another mix-up roughly 90 minutes later, Biden was asked whether Vice President Kamala Harris was qualified to take over his job if necessary.

Harris has been touted as a top contender to replace Biden as Democratic presidential nominee.

"Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she was not qualified to be president. So start there," he replied.

More than a dozen House and Senate Democrats so far have called for Biden to drop out of the presidential race. Four Democratic sources told CBS News that they expect dozens more to ask Biden to end his reelection bid over the next 48 hours.

Views

"That moment ended it for him and I'm a supporter of this man…he needs to sit down and talk to his family," Bonnie Greer, an American-British playwright and novelist told the BBC's Newsnight of Biden's error. "He should step down now."

"Joe Biden just called Zelensky "President Putin" and called Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump". Let's be real: Biden is heading for a big loss," physician and Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "To make sure Trump loses too, I'm asking all progressive and independent voters to get behind our campaign now."

"So, at the 'Big Boy' press conference designed to show the world he's still compos mentis, President Biden called President Zelensky 'Putin' and his vice president Kamala Harris 'Trump.' I feel suitably reassured!" wrote British broadcaster Piers Morgan.

What's Next?

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.