Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently addressed a controversial statement made by US President Joe Biden during a press conference in Washington. On July 13th, while at Shannon Airport for a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, Zelensky expressed his disappointment in Biden’s slip-up, where he mistakenly referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the «illegitimate Russian President.» Zelensky’s response was reported by The Irish Times.
The incident occurred during a joint press conference between Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, where they discussed various issues including the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the situation in Ukraine. In his introduction, Biden stated, «I’m headed to meet with President Putin in a couple weeks in Geneva, making it clear we will not stand by and let him abuse those rights.» He then quickly corrected himself, saying, «I’m headed to meet with President Putin in a couple of weeks in Geneva, making it clear that we will not stand by and let him abuse those rights.» Despite his correction, the damage was done, and the mistake did not go unnoticed by Zelensky.
Zelensky’s reaction to Biden’s slip-up was diplomatic but firm. He stated in an interview with The Irish Times, «It is a mistake, it’s definitely a mistake. And we’re going to have talks with [the US] about that.» Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is an independent and sovereign country and deserves to be recognized as such by the international community. He also expressed his concern about the impact of Biden’s statement on the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine and the country’s relations with Russia.
The slip-up may have been unintentional on Biden’s part, but it sparked a wave of backlash from Ukrainian officials and citizens. Many criticized Biden for not being well-informed about the situation in Ukraine and for not recognizing Zelensky as the legitimate President of Ukraine. Some even accused Biden of playing into Putin’s propaganda and giving him a platform to claim legitimacy as the Russian President.
This incident highlights the sensitivity of the situation in Ukraine and the importance of using accurate and diplomatic language when discussing it. Ukraine has been battling Russian-backed separatists in its eastern regions since 2014. The ongoing conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people. The international community has been united in its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and any slip-ups like this can be seen as a setback in those efforts.
Zelensky’s reaction to Biden’s mistake was measured and diplomatic, showing his commitment to maintaining positive relations with the US. He also used the opportunity to reiterate Ukraine’s stance on the conflict and its expectations from the international community. Zelensky has been vocal about his desire for Ukraine to join the European Union and NATO, and incidents like this only strengthen his argument for support and recognition from the international community.
Despite the slip-up, Biden’s administration has been a strong ally for Ukraine. The US has provided significant military aid to Ukraine and has imposed sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Biden has also reaffirmed the US’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its support for its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
In conclusion, while Biden’s slip-up was unfortunate and should have been avoided, it should not overshadow the strong relationship between the US and Ukraine. Zelensky’s response was diplomatic and showed a willingness to work with the US to address any misunderstandings. Both countries share a common goal of a peaceful and stable Ukraine, and they must continue to work together to achieve it. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of using accurate and diplomatic language when discussing sensitive issues like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
