Kremlin mocks Joe Biden after gaffe-strewn Nato speech

The slip-up, which the US President later corrected, featured prominently on bulletins across Russia.

Moscow’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova published a sarcastic update in which she mocked previous claims about Russia influencing America’s democratic process.

She said: “It seems to me that the notorious ‘Russian interference in the American elections' cannot be hidden any longer - there is a pro-Russian candidate (Biden) who is controlled by the 'hand of the Kremlin’.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also addressed the gaffe, branding it an “internal US topic” while also warning that “disrespectful” comments about Putin as “unacceptable to us”.

He added: “For us this was unacceptable. Such behaviour does not make an American head of state look good.”

Biden had referred to his Russian counterpart as a “murderous man” as he reiterated Washington’s support for Kyiv.

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Following his slip-up about Zelensky, Biden stressed the Ukrainian leader is so “focused on beating Putin”.

He also appeared to confuse Republican rival Donald Trump with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Grand Old Party insiders believe Trump’s chances of returning to the White House have improved since Biden’s latest blunder.

A Republican strategist, who was previously critical of Trump’s chances, told GB News: “Trump, as it stands now, will beat Biden.

“Biden had yet another disastrous conference last night with Nato. It was awful.”

Trump also posted a series of updates on his social media platform Truth Social laying into his White House successor.

“Crooked Joe has a case of Trump Derangement Syndrome,” the 45th President wrote.

Despite calls for the 46th President to step aside, Biden defiantly reassured Democrats he would take on Trump later this year.

In a letter to Democratic figures in Washington, the 81-year-old wrote: “I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.”

Biden added: “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn't be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”

Biden separately claimed losing is “not an option” and stressed he is getting “frustrated by elites” in the Democratic Paty calling for him to quit.

Despite the public turning towards Trump during the heated exchange, opinion polls suggest Biden remains better placed than Harris to take on the ex-President.

JL Partners revealed 47 per cent of voters currently support Trump, with just 42 per cent backing Biden.

However, Trump's vote share increases to 49 per cent against Harris, with the Vice President slumping to as low as 38 per cent.

Dropping out of the 2024 race at this stage would see Biden become the first Commander-in-Chief since Lyndon B Johnson to not seek re-election.