Joe Biden's bumbling G7 speech with Zelensky interrupted by screeching helicopter
Many people watching the speech were baffled by the noise - and questioned Biden's ability to speak effectively.
Joe Biden's historic G7 conference with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was interrupted by a screeching helicopter.
President Biden, 81, was also criticized for stumbling during the speech on Thursday.
In an awkward moment, Biden asked for a pause as the noise of a chopper flew overhead.
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It followed points in which he struggled with his words while unveiling a 10-year security agreement with Kyiv - a nation at war with Russia since February 2022.
Many people watching the speech were baffled by the noise - and questioned Biden's ability to speak effectively.
Taking to X, one person wrote: "What the hell is flying over our President’s head during his speech?"
"President #Biden is stumbling through his g7 speech," added another.
A third asked: "Is Biden going to make it through the speech? He looks and sounds horrible."
Thursday’s security arrangement was aimed to send a signal to Russia of American resolve in supporting Kyiv, the White House said.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the security agreement would not commit U.S. troops directly to Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion — a red line drawn by Biden, who’s fearful of being pulled into direct conflict between the nuclear-armed powers.
“We want to demonstrate that the U.S. supports the people of Ukraine, that we stand with them and that we’ll continue to help address their security needs,” Sullivan said, adding “this agreement will show our resolve.”
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Sullivan said aboard Air Force One that the goal of the financing plan was to have a loan that would “pull forward the windfall profits from the seized assets” of Russia, giving Ukraine a “substantial source of funding” to meet its immediate needs.
The national security adviser said he had a specific sum of money in mind, but declined to say if that figure was $50 billion. He stressed the urgency of getting Ukraine financial resources as soon as possible and that multiple countries would back the agreement.
“It’s to provide the necessary resources to Ukraine now for its economic energy and other needs, so that it’s capable of having the resilience necessary to withstand Russia’s continuing aggression,” Sullivan said.