Former President Joe Biden has sharply criticized his successor, Donald Trump, stating that pressure on Ukraine to yield territory to Russia constitutes “modern-day appeasement.”
The comments came during Biden’s first interview since leaving the White House, speaking with the BBC’s Radio 4 Today program ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Biden expressed grave concerns for the future of the crucial US-Europe relationship, an alliance he described as vital for global stability.
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Biden reflected on the lessons of World War II and highlighted the formation of NATO as one of the “smartest things we did,” arguing that alliances provide essential security and ultimately save costs.
“You know, the United States has never been able to avoid a war in Europe,” Mr. Biden told the BBC. “And so, one of the smartest things we did after World War II was we formed NATO. Because alliances provide security.”
He countered arguments from within the current administration, which he suggested speaks of “European free-loading,” asserting that the strength found in alliances benefits all parties. “I don’t understand how they fail to understand that their strength and alliances… The benefits, the costs are, it saves us money overall.”
The former president drew a direct parallel between the war in Ukraine and historical conflicts, particularly in addressing the idea that Ukraine should cede land for peace. “It’s not common sense,” Biden stated, calling it “perhaps modern-day appeasement.”
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He dismissed the notion that Russian President Vladimir Putin would stop at Ukraine, citing Putin’s past statements and apparent desire to undo the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Anybody thinks he’s going to stop is just foolish,” Biden warned.
Biden also voiced his deep anxiety about the current global landscape and what he sees as a significant threat to democracy. He believes the threat is greater now than at any time since the Second World War, noting uncertainty among European leaders about relying on the United States.
He defended America’s role as the “essential Nation,” positioned to bring people together and lead the world, suggesting that without US leadership, powers like China and Russia would step further into the vacuum.
Recalling a past encounter between then-President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, Biden found the scene “sort of beneath America.”
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He also criticized President Trump’s comments about acquiring territories like Panama, Greenland, or Canada, stating, “That’s not who we are. We’re about Freedom, democracy, opportunity. Not about confiscation.”
Biden also reflected on his decision to step aside late in a previous presidential contest, which led to Kamala Harris challenging Trump.
He stated that he did not believe the timing of his withdrawal would have “mattered,” explaining that at the time, he felt his agenda had become “so successful” it was difficult to step away from the transition he envisioned. Despite acknowledging it was a “hard decision,” he concluded he had “no regrets.”
“No, I think it was the right decision. I think that…It was just a difficult decision,” said Biden.
The interview contained no questions or insight into the results of the Biden administration’s border policies and the results of those policies.
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