Joe Biden expressed deep concern over his predecessor, Donald Trump’s, approach to relations with Russia and the war in Ukraine
In an interview with the British broadcaster BBC, the American president criticized the policy that the former US leader called a modern tactic of "appeasement" toward the aggressor. According to Biden, this approach not only signals a lack of understanding of the realities but also potentially serves as a destructive signal to other European countries, which still remain cautious regarding the Kremlin. He warns that perceiving Russia as potentially accommodating in the West creates conditions for further escalation. The current US president's deputy emphasizes that since taking office, Trump has adopted a fundamentally different strategy regarding Ukraine and Russia. The former US leader has several times hinted that Ukraine should consider making concessions, such as ceding part of its territory to Russia to end the war. Trump has said that such a step is entirely possible and even advisable, considering the pursuit of peace. Biden, on the other hand, calls this approach “a modern policy of appeasement” and notes that it could not be more mistaken in the context of Russian aggression. The US president is convinced that Vladimir Putin, in his ideology, considers Ukraine an inseparable part of historic Muscovy, and Russia has "historic rights" to Ukrainian lands — a clear hint at the idea of historical revenge and the return of former territories. According to Biden, the Kremlin believes in its invincibility and refuses to accept the dissolution of the Soviet Union, seeking to restore the sphere of influence of the former empire. The White House leader warns: “Anyone who thinks Putin will stop at Ukraine is just plain stupid.” He sums up these words by emphasizing that any attempts to soften Russian aggression or consider it as temporary and limited are illusions and carry the risk of a large-scale escalation. Biden underscores that to strengthen security in the region and prevent new conflicts, it is essential to clearly understand: Russia intends to regain control over all territories it considers part of its historical domain. Overall, according to the American leader, Donald Trump's approach of concessions and appeasement demonstrates episodes of misunderstanding in the long term. In his opinion, this could delay efforts to end the war and only reinforce Russian aggression. Biden calls for firmness and unity in the Western world, emphasizing that a joint strategy of deterrence and support for Ukraine in its fight for independence and territorial integrity is highly valued.