Beto O’Rourke briefly slipped into Spanish when answering a question about how the United States should handle Russian President Vladimir Putin’s corruption on the global stage, during Tuesday's CNN Democratic primary debate.

“We must be unafraid in ensuring that we hold Russia accountable for invading the world’s greatest democracy … they are invading this democracy right now as we speak, still at the invitation of this president,” O’Rourke said. “So if there are not consequences, we will continue to see this problem going forward.

“But in addition, y además, to answer the previous question that you asked — how do we stand up to Russia on the global stage? We do that by renewing our alliances and our friendships. That is what makes America stronger,” the 47-year-old former congressman from Texas added.

“Y además,” means “and also” in Spanish.

O’Rouke has slipped into Spanish at other Democratic debates, including at the first debate in June.