Would you like a drink before the war?

If you've been wondering how Europe looked this week through Fox-colored glasses, well, just don't mention the war:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told President Donald Trump he is in a "strong position" to stop Russia’s war in Ukraine, to which the president suggested maybe the world needs to "let them fight for a little while."

"America is again in a very strong position to do something on this war and ending this war," Merz said, while also referencing the U.S.’s role in ending World War II on the eve of the anniversary of D-Day, which marked the turn of events that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany. "So let's talk about what we can do jointly, and we are ready to do what we can."

Other news organizations were somewhat more direct -- even USA Today:

"We are having June 6th tomorrow, this is D-Day anniversary, when the Americans once ended a war in Europe," Merz said.

"That was not a pleasant day for you," Trump responded. "This was not a great day.”

Hence your occasional reminder that Fox has not always been so coy about presidents and European wars. Enjoy, for example, the lead story (in its entirely) from July 12, 2023:

President Biden committed multiple speaking gaffes during his trip to Lithuania this week to shore up support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia, including confusing the two nations, as well as their leaders.

While speaking to the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "Vladmir," seemingly confusing Zelenskyy with Russian President Vladmir Putin.

Appearing to not realize his mistake, Biden went on to say he "shouldn't be so familiar," and referred to Zelenskyy as "Mr. Zelenskyy."

Putin and Zelenskyy each hold a different version of the same name, with "Volodymyr" being the most commonly used version in Ukraine.

At a later speaking event following the summit, Biden confused the two nations, referring to Ukraine as Russia.

"Russia could end this war tomorrow by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and recognizing its international borders and ceasing its attacks – its inhumane attacks – on Russia – I mean by Russia on Ukraine," Biden said, correcting himself.

The gaffes are just the latest in a string of near-constant fumbles by Biden, including last month when he told reporters Putin was "clearly losing the war in Iraq."

They've also led to frequent questioning of Biden's cognitive abilities as president. Should the 80-year-old win a second term as president, he will be 86 when he leaves the White House.

Especially given what outfits like the AP have endured at the hands of the Trump administration, one sort of regrets that Fox never got the John D'Donnell treatment when the adults were in charge.