George W. Bush.Photo: George W. Bush Institute
George W. Bushaccidentally mixed up the invasion of Iraq withRussia’s invasion of Ukrainein a recent speech.
The former president, 75, made the gaffe while giving a speech at an event in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, during which he criticized Russia’s political system.
“The result is an absence of checks and balances in [Russia] and the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq,” Bush continued, before correcting himself, stating, “I mean of Ukraine.”
Bush then shrugged and said, “Iraq, too,” before he added, “Anyway, 75,” referring to his current age.
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The United States led an invasion of Iraq when Bush was president in 2003. The war, which lasted until 2011, claimed the lives of thousands of both American troop members and Iraqi civilians.
A representative for Bush did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Bush’s mistake came as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues after their forces launched a large-scale invasion on Feb. 24 — the first major land conflict in Europe in decades.
Putin, 69, insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy, 44, vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
