From Trump to Ukraine: Five takeaways from former Joe Biden’s first interview since leaving US President’s office | World News
In his first major interview since leaving the White House, former US President Joe Biden spoke about global affairs, his successor Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and his own decision to exit the 2024 presidential race. Speaking to the BBC‘s Nick Robinson, Biden reflected on the state of American democracy, NATO, and the war in Ukraine, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
Here are five key takeaways from the interview
1. Biden labels Trump’s Ukraine policy as ‘Modern-day appeasement’
Biden sharply criticised Trump adminration’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly the suggestion that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to achieve peace. He likened this stance to the failed appeasement policies of the 1930s.
“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. I don’t quite understand,” Biden said. He warned that such concessions would not satiate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions and could create further aggression.
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2. Thoughts on Trump’s first 100 days back in office
When asked about Trump’s performance since returning to the presidency, Biden said that he would let hory judge that, but he didn’t “see anything that’s triumphant”.
2. Concerns over NATO and US alliances
Biden expressed deep concern that Trump’s foreign policy is undermining NATO and America’s role on the world stage. He talked about the importance of alliances and warned that European confidence in US leadership is waning.
He called Trump’s February meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office was “sort of beneath America”.
“We are not the essential nation,” he said. “But we are the only nation in position to have the capacity to bring people together to lead the world.” Story continues below this ad
3. Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal
The former US President condemned Trump’s comments about acquiring territories such as Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, as well as renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
“What president ever talks like that? That’s not who we are. We’re about freedom, democracy, opportunity, not about confiscation,” he said.
4. Defense of withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race
Addressing criticism over his late withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Biden defended his decision, stating that stepping aside earlier would not have changed the election outcome.
“I don’t think it would have mattered,” he said. “I don’t think that would have made much difference.”Story continues below this ad
Biden acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but maintained it was the right choice.
Three weeks ago, Biden addressed disability advocates in Chicago, where he criticised the current adminration for “taking a hatchet” to the Social Security Adminration and accused Trump of causing “damage and destruction” to the benefits program, according to The New York Times. Now, he is all set to appear for another interview with ABC on Thursday.
(With inputs from BBC, The New York Times)
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