Donald Trump, 80, mistakenly refers to Volodymyr Zelensky as ‘President Putin’ at rambling press convention
The gaffe came almost exactly two years to the day after former President Joe Biden made exactly the same mistake at the same NATO conference
President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy(Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Donald Trump mistakenly referred to Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” during a lengthy and rambling press conference with Ukraine’s leader.
The 80-year-old US President turned to reporters gathered after their bilateral meeting during the NATO Summit, pointed to Mr Zelensky and said: “Do you have a question for President Putin, please?”
The gaffe came almost exactly two years to the day after former President Joe Biden made exactly the same mistake at the same conference.
Biden, who was then just a year and a half older than Trump is now, was facing mounting scrutiny over his age, health and ability to properly function as President.
Several reporters pointed out Trump’s gaffe today, after which the US President tried to style it out.
“Questions for President Putin, not Zelensky. What would you like to ask him, because I will ask him that question,” he said.
He then insisted a Ukrainian reporter give him a question for Russia’s dictator. They said: “When will he end this war?”
“That’s a good question,” Trump replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever asked him that question.”
Earlier, Trump agreed the US will allow its Patriot air defence systems to be made overseas for Ukraine to counter Russian missile attacks, a huge coup for Ukraine which has badly needed the technology in the war that’s now in its fifth year.
Trump made the announcement as he met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Turkey, praising him as having “done an amazing job” and “been very effective” in the war.
“We’ll give them the right to make Patriots. We’ll show them how to do it,” Trump said.
Zelenskyy has long sought more of the defence systems, which are expensive, in high demand and take a long time to manufacture. He’s been pressing for Ukraine to be granted a license to manufacture the technology.
