In a fiery new interview with the BBC, former U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine war, accusing his successor of engaging in “modern-day appeasement” that could dangerously embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The interview, aired Wednesday but recorded earlier in the week, marks Biden’s first public sit-down since leaving the White House. During the conversation, he did not mince words about Trump’s foreign policy stance, especially regarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and the broader implications for global security.
Biden emphasized that Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to cede land in exchange for peace is not only misguided but historically naïve. “Putin believes Ukraine is part of ‘Mother Russia.’ And anyone who thinks he’ll stop if handed a piece of it is simply foolish,” Biden said. His comments suggest that conceding any Ukrainian territory would only encourage further aggression from the Kremlin.
He continued, “I just don’t understand how people can believe that allowing a dictator to seize land that isn’t his would somehow satisfy him. That’s not how these things work. Appeasement never ends with peace.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump has advocated for a different approach—one that includes urging Ukraine to accept a ceasefire, while simultaneously dialing back pressure on Moscow. Trump argues that his primary goal is to “stop the killing” and bring an end to the war. But Biden sees this strategy as dangerously shortsighted.
Biden voiced concern that Trump’s position could shake global confidence in the United States. “European leaders are now asking themselves—‘Can we still rely on America?’” he said. “They’re wondering whether American leadership can be trusted in moments of crisis.”
The former president also commented on the controversial February meeting at the White House, where Trump, alongside senior officials, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Biden said the tone and handling of that encounter was “beneath America” and did not reflect the values or dignity of the office.
These statements come at a time when global tensions remain high, and the future of Ukraine is still uncertain. Biden’s remarks serve as a clear warning: appeasing autocrats like Putin could have consequences far beyond Eastern Europe. It could set a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and global security.
As the 2024 U.S. election season heats up, foreign policy—and America’s role in the world—is once again front and center.
