“Has Not Existed Since 1992”: Biden Takes Heat For Another Awkward Gaffe [WATCH]

After a recent White House meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic, President Biden received criticism for incorrectly referring to the nation as Czechoslovakia.  The former country, Czechoslovakia, hasn’t existed since 1992 when it split into two separate nations, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

X user Leandro shared the footage, labeling Biden’s slip-up as “The Gaffe Republic” while pointing out that “Czechoslovakia has not existed since 1992.”  As the president spoke, he began to refer to the Czech Republic as Czechoslovakia before quickly correcting himself after realizing he was referring to a nonexistent country.

“And together, we’re going to bolster our energy security and expand our clean power.  We’re going to get to talk about that in some detail in a little bit.  And together, we’re standing — and I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your outspokenness and the support of the people of Czechoslova- — the Czech Republic with defending the people of Ukraine, as defined by what you’ve done.  You continue to just speak out,” the president stated.

Biden hosted Prime Minister Fiala earlier this month to discuss supplementary aid for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.  At the time, Biden urged the U.S. House to pass Senate-approved supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel.

The president began his remarks by recalling when he was a Senator arguing for the admission of the Czech Republic to NATO.  However, Biden appears to have also misspoken here, incorrectly labeling the country.  The Czech Republic, not Czechoslovakia, was admitted to NATO in 1999, over half a decade after the latter had dissolved.

“I was reminiscing with the Prime Minister very briefly as you walked in the door.  Twenty-five years ago, almost to the day, I was standing on the Senate floor arguing for the admission of Czechoslovakia, at the time — the Czech Republic — into NATO.  Twenty-five years.  I was a pretty smart guy,” Biden said.

“The best decision we made.  You’ve been a great, great ally.  And we’ve only grown closer and stronger as nations, both the United States and the Czech Republic,” Biden added, praising the nation for its allyship with the United States.

Biden also discussed America’s efforts to support the Czech Republic’s military, stating, “Together, we’re deepening defense cooperation to ensure the security of our people, as well as including the modernization of your military force with the purchase of F-35 aircraft and helos.  It’s just amazing what you’re doing.”

President Biden also promoted the now-passed foreign aid bill, claiming that Russia would not stop at the Ukrainian border.  According to Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin is jeopardizing the entirety of Europe and the United States.

“The Congress has to pass the continued funding — (coughs) — excuse me — which has significant from the United States and pass our bipartisan national security bill.  They have to do it now — now.  There’s overwhelming support in the House and Senate if they’ll — the Speaker will just let a vote take place.  And, you know, because as the Czech Republic remembers: Russia won’t stop in Ukraine.  Russia will not stop in Ukraine.  The impact on NATO would be significant.  And Putin is going to keep going, putting Europe, the United States, and the entire world at risk if we don’t stop them in Ukraine,” Biden stated.