Biden voices doubts over Trump-era approach to Ukraine-Russia conflict

In his first interview since leaving office, Joe Biden expressed concern over proposed peace deals for Ukraine that involve territorial concessions, describing them as a dangerous form of appeasement while also addressing US-Europe relations and his own political decisions.

In his first major interview since stepping down from the presidential race, former US President Joe Biden told the BBC that recent suggestions from Trump administration officials encouraging Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia reflect a strategy he considers "modern-day appeasement."

His comments came as the Allied nations commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Biden warned that another Trump presidency could strain transatlantic relations in ways that could reshape global dynamics. “It would change the modern history of the world,” he said.

When asked about US military and political support for Ukraine during his presidency, Biden defended the White House’s evolving approach, saying that restrictions on the use of American weapons were gradually lifted as the conflict progressed. “We gave them everything they needed to provide for their independence,” he said, adding that the US was ready to respond more forcefully if Russia escalated further.

The interview also addressed recent remarks from Vice-President JD Vance, who proposed a peace plan that would “freeze” the current battle lines, implying Kyiv would need to give up territory. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth supported the idea, calling a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders “unrealistic.”

Biden likened these proposals to 1930s-era efforts to avoid war through territorial concessions, referencing then-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s attempts to appease Nazi Germany. “It is modern-day appeasement,” Biden said.

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