Biden introduces Zelensky as Putin at Nato ceremony, corrects himself

US President Joe Biden mistakenly introduced Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as his Russian foe Vladimir Putin at a Nato summit on Thursday in a blunder just hours before a press conference that could decide the fate of his reelection bid.

The 81-year-old quickly corrected himself, and Zelensky quipped that he was “better” than Putin, but the gaffe intensified concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump two weeks ago.

“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 as he announced a Nato-Ukraine compact at the summit in Washington.

Biden turned away from the lectern before coming back and exclaiming: “President Putin! He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky — I’m so focused on beating Putin we gotta worry about it. Anyway, Mr President.”

“’I’m better,” replied Zelensky, a former television comedian turned Ukraine’s wartime leader against Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Biden’s Republican rivals were circulating the clip within minutes.