George W Bush makes awkward slip-up during speech: 'I mean Ukraine'
Former US President George W Bush had a significant verbal slip-up this week while attempting to condemn Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
In a speech about the importance of elections in America, Bush accidentally called the 2003 Iraq invasion "unjustified" and "brutal", mistaking it for Putin's attack on Ukraine.
"In contrast, Russian elections are rigged. Political opponents are imprisoned or otherwise eliminated from participating in the political process," Bush said.
"The result is the absence of checks and balances in Russia and the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq."
But he quickly realised his unfortunate error and followed with a correction.
"I mean Ukraine," he said with a head shake and a laugh.
Under his breath he appears to mumble "Iraq, too", before referencing his age.
The invasion of Iraq was spearheaded by Bush himself when he was in power from 2001-2009.
His decision to invade Iraq was based on claims the US government had received intelligence that the country’s leader Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.
But the war, which lasted until 2011, has long been criticised – and Mr Bush faulted – with claims there were no such weapons, according to Fox News.
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The verbal gaffe didn't go unnoticed with the room breaking out in awkward laughter. Twitter also poked fun at the noticeable slip-up.
"I have no words," one wrote on Twitter.
"Dang... he really called himself out on that one," said another.
"Bush only had to get 1 word right here and totally f*ed that up," wrote a third.
Meanwhile, Australia's leader Scott Morrison had his own trip up on Wednesday and showed the nation how much of a "bulldozer he really is".
While joining in a kid's soccer match in Tasmania, the Prime Minister accidentally bowled over an unsuspecting seven-year-old boy who was flattened by the weight of Mr Morrison.
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