Fact Check: Real Footage of Zelenskyy Reacting to Biden Calling Him 'President Putin'?

Claim:

A video clip authentically shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s reaction to U.S. President Joe Biden inadvertently calling him “President Putin.”

Rating:

True ( About this rating? )

As U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed a host of world leaders to Washington, D.C., in July 2024 for a NATO summit, a number of his verbal gaffes and missteps made headlines. While introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on stage at an event during a news conference, Biden mixed up his name with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying: "I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he does determination. Ladies and gentlemen: President Putin."

A number of viral videos showed Zelenskyy's confused reaction to the announcement, followed by a smile and joke after Biden quickly corrected himself for the error. In the clip Zelenskyy nods at the end of Biden's speech, pauses, shakes his head slightly and smiles.

https://x.com/CensoredMen/status/1811522006996652523

We looked at news footage of the moment from different angles as well as Getty Images documenting the event. The above video shows Zelenskyy's real response to being mistakenly referred to as Putin by Biden. As such, we rate this claim as "True."

Biden immediately corrected himself after the gaffe, returning to the microphone to say, "President Putin? We're going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky. I'm so focused on beating Putin. We got to worry about it. Anyway."

Biden then shook Zelenskyy's hand while Zelenskyy joked, "I'm better," apparently comparing himself to Putin. Biden replied, "You are a hell of a lot better."

In the footage below from Channel News Asia, a Singaporean media outlet, we can see Zelenskyy from a closer angle behind Biden. Zelenskyy nods, looks confused, smiles and shakes his head. He then scratches his nose as Biden corrects his introduction, stating "President Zelenskyy!" Both leaders turn to each other and shake hands.

The same moment can be seen from a wider angle shot in official White House footage, at the 5:25 mark. From a distance, Zelenskyy appears to stand still while Biden returns to the podium. Zelenskyy can be seen scratching his nose at the same point in Biden's correction.

Zelenskyy is wearing the same black shirt and dark green pants in all the footage and photographs from the event. Getty Images has numerous photographs of Zelenskyy's reaction to the gaffe.

(BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

The event was intended to mark a new agreement for longterm NATO support for Ukraine amidst their ongoing war with Russia. The agreement, described as the "Ukraine Compact," was finalized at the summit. Later that evening , Biden mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as " Vice President Trump ."

This is not the first occasion in which Biden has mixed up names. In 2022 , Biden mistakenly said (and subsequently corrected himself) Putin had decided he was "gonna just invade Russia." In 2021 he also mistakenly referred to Putin as "President Trump" and then corrected himself.

Since Biden's poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June 2024, many Democrats and allies expressed worry about Biden's physical limitations and health, and questioned his ability to win against Trump in the November general election.

Sources:

"Biden at 81: Often Sharp and Focused but Sometimes Confused and Forgetful." AP News, 3 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-election-debate-trump-7c366fda83a697265d9ecc77e8a32fd1 . Accessed 12 July 2024.

"Biden Mistakenly Introduces Zelenskyy as Putin at NATO Summit." CNA, 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSGBbpOubI8 . Accessed 12 July 2024.

Cameron, Chris. "Biden Mixes Up Kamala Harris and Donald Trump After Doing the Same With Zelensky and Putin." The New York Times, 11 July 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/us/politics/biden-harris-trump-putin-zelensky.html . Accessed 12 July 2024.

Lee, Jessica. "Did Biden Call Putin 'President Trump' and Then Correct Himself?" Snopes, 16 June 2021, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/biden-trump-putin/ . Accessed 12 July 2024.

Liles, Jordan. "Did Biden Say, 'Putin Decides He's Gonna Invade Russia'?" Snopes, 16 Mar. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/biden-putin-invade-russia/ . Accessed 12 July 2024.

"President of United States Joe Biden and President of Ukraine..." Getty Images, 12 July 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/president-of-united-states-joe-biden-and-president-of-news-photo/2161033864 . Accessed 12 July 2024.

"The NATO Summit Was about Ukraine and Biden. Here Are Some Key Things to Know." AP News, 12 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-ukraine-biden-china-d9f2b83dc0956d75f6f75efe85cbefb4 . Accessed 12 July 2024.

"President Biden Hosts an Event on the Ukraine Compact." The White House, 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm1-iJld5Yc . Accessed 12 July 2024.

"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky Reacts after Being Introduced..." Getty Images, 11 July 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelensky-reacts-after-being-news-photo/2161010704 . Accessed 12 July 2024.

"Zelenskiy Hails Ukraine Compact As 'Important Achievement' For Kyiv, Others." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 12 July 2024. www.rferl.org, https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-ukraine-compact-biden-defense/33033555.html . Accessed 12 July 2024.