Trump appeasing Putin with pressure on Ukraine, Biden tells BBC

In a recent interview with the BBC, Joe Biden, the former president of the United States, discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the implications of Donald Trump's administration's approach to the situation. Biden characterized the pressure exerted by Trump on Ukraine to concede territory to Russia as 'modern-day appeasement. ' This term refers to the act of giving in to a dictator's demands in hopes of avoiding further conflict, a strategy that has historically proven to be ineffective. Biden expressed his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin views Ukraine as part of Russia and warned that any concessions made by Ukraine would not satisfy Putin's ambitions. He stated, 'anybody that thinks he's going to stop if some territory is conceded as part of a peace deal is just foolish. ' Biden's remarks came during a time when Allied nations were commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a significant event marking the end of World War II in Europe. During the interview, Biden was also questioned about his own presidency and the decision to withdraw from the 2024 election race. He acknowledged that it was a difficult choice but maintained that it was the right one, stating, 'I don't think it would have mattered. We left at a time when we had a good candidate. ' Biden's comments also included a critique of Trump's rhetoric regarding U. S. allies. He condemned Trump's suggestions that the U. S. should reclaim the Panama Canal, acquire Greenland, and make Canada the 51st state, saying, 'What the hell's going on here? What president ever talks like that? That's not who we are. ' Biden emphasized that America should be a nation that promotes freedom, democracy, and opportunity rather than one that engages in confiscation. When discussing the support provided to Ukraine, Biden defended his administration's actions, stating that they had supplied Ukraine with everything necessary to defend its independence. He acknowledged that the U. S. had adjusted its stance on the use of military aid over the course of the conflict, but he insisted that they were prepared to respond more aggressively if Putin escalated his actions. Biden was also pressed on whether he had done enough to ensure Ukraine's victory against Russia. He reiterated that the U. S. had given Ukraine the tools needed to maintain its independence and resist the invasion. Biden expressed his strong opposition to any notion of Ukraine giving up territory to secure peace, drawing parallels to the failed appeasement strategies of the past, particularly referencing British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's attempts to placate Adolf Hitler. He voiced concerns that if Ukraine were to concede land, it could lead to a loss of confidence among European leaders in America's commitment to its allies. Biden stated, 'Europe is going to lose confidence in the certainty of America and the leadership of America. ' He highlighted the uncertainty that European leaders might feel regarding their reliance on the United States in the face of Russian aggression. Furthermore, Biden criticized Trump's expectation that Russia would retain control over Crimea, a region that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Trump had previously suggested that Ukraine's President Zelensky was hindering peace negotiations by refusing to consider territorial concessions. Biden pointed out that the pressure to cede land was not solely coming from Washington but was also being echoed by other voices. He expressed confusion over the belief that allowing a dictator to take land would lead to satisfaction, stating, 'I just don't understand how people think that if we allow a dictator, a thug, to decide he's going to take significant portions of land that aren't his, that that's going to satisfy him. ' Biden also expressed concern that some NATO countries bordering Russia might feel compelled to make accommodations to Putin if Ukraine ultimately gives up land. He criticized Trump's reluctance to continue the level of military support that Biden had provided to Ukraine, arguing that Trump's approach could prolong the conflict rather than resolve it. Biden reflected on a tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky, where Trump and his officials had publicly criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for U. S. support. Biden remarked, 'I found it sort of beneath America in the way that took place. ' He emphasized the importance of alliances and the benefits they bring, stating, 'There's strength in alliances. It saves us money overall. ' When discussing the state of the economy, Biden contrasted the situation when he left office with the current administration's approach. He noted that the economy was growing, the stock market was up, and the U. S. was expanding its influence positively around the world. Biden concluded by stating that he would let history judge Trump's second term, but he did not see anything that could be considered a triumph.