Biden gaffe: Putin won't 'gain the hearts and souls of the Iranian people'

"To our fellow Ukrainian Americans, who forged a deep bond that connects our two nations, we stand with you," Biden said.
Biden
By Madeleine Hubbard

President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainians as Iranians during his first State of the Union address on Tuesday evening while discussing Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

"To our fellow Ukrainian Americans, who forged a deep bond that connects our two nations, we stand with you," Biden said, seemingly referring to Americans with Ukrainian ancestry but possibly meaning to address the people of Ukraine.

"Putin may circle Kiev with tanks but he'll never gain the hearts and souls of the Iranian people," Biden said while Vice President Kamala Harris had a pained look on her face.

"He'll never, he'll never extinguish their love of freedom and he will never, never weaken the resolve of the Free World," Biden said as he was met with a standing ovation.

The United Nations has reported more than 500 civilian casualties since the start of Putin's invasion of Ukraine last week.