US President Joe Biden says he’s “never heard so much foolishness” after his opponent Donald Trump claimed he would resolve the war in Ukraine before he takes office on January 20 — if he wins this November’s presidential election.
Trump also called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy “the greatest salesman ever”, referencing the aid the US had provided to the country since Russia invaded in February 2022.
The United States’ leadership role in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza is in the spotlight, as the two face off in the first debate of the 2024 presidential campaign.
Biden pointed out Trump plans to leave NATO — the strategic alliance between the US and European countries — and said his approach could spark a broader war in Europe.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, where five US citizens are still understood to be held as hostages, has also come under scrutiny.
Biden has defended his role in trying to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has so far proved unsuccessful.
“We saved Israel,” the president has said, referring to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel in April.
The first third of the debate has already covered topics as diverse as unemployment, the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, undocumented migration and abortion rights.
The 90-minute televised debate started airing on CNN at 9pm local time and is expected to draw millions of viewers. In Australia, viewers can .
The debate is happening far earlier than normal — more than four months before the 5 November election — and is also the first between a former and sitting president.
Biden and Trump are the de facto preferred candidates, but neither party has officially nominated them yet.
Broadcaster CNN is implementing a number of measures to try and contain potential disruption.
Candidates’ microphones will be muted while they are not speaking, to prevent Biden and Trump interrupting one another.
The debate is also taking place without a live studio audience.
More controversially, reporters from the White House press pool won’t be allowed inside the studio during the debate.
It’s extremely rare for these reporters — who represent major news organisations and usually accompany the president on trips and at public appearances — to be barred from an event.
Amid deep polarisation, political anxiety and deadlocked opinion polls in the US, each candidate will try and convince voters they are the best bet for president.
Trump, 78, who still faces a trio of criminal cases — including his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
After months of Republic assertions he is too old for the job, Biden, 81, will be under pressure to give a forceful performance with no verbal stumbles.
