Biden's BBC Exclusive Interview: Criticizes Trump's Ukraine Policy, Warns of the Threat of "Modern Appeasement" to Global Security

(Delaware, May 7, 2025) —— Joe Biden, former President of the United States, delivered a sharp criticism of the current president Donald Trump's foreign policy for the first time after leaving office in an exclusive interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The interview was conducted by BBC journalist Nick Robinson on Monday at a wooden-decorated study in Delaware. Biden discussed issues related to Ukraine, the future of NATO, and the direction of U.S. foreign policy. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Allied Victory in Europe (VE Day), Biden expressed deep concerns about the current international situation through the dialogue.

In the interview, Biden wore a dark suit and sat face-to-face with Robinson against the background of a fireplace and a classical decorative bookshelf. Below are the main contents of the dialogue:

Robinson: Mr. President, Trump mentioned his interest in Greenland and the Panama Canal, and advocated that Ukraine should cede territory in exchange for peace. What do you think about it?

Biden: What is going on? How can a president talk like this? Trump's words are completely inconsistent with the U.S. diplomatic tradition. His proposal to force Zelenskyy to abandon territory is no different from modern appeasement. If we do this, we will only reward Putin's aggressive behavior.

Robinson: You mentioned "modern appeasement", could you explain it specifically? Trump thinks ceding territory by Ukraine is common sense. What do you think?

Biden: This is modern appeasement. Putin has always wanted to rebuild the Warsaw Pact, he believes that Ukraine is part of "Mother Russia" and belongs to his historical rights. Anyone who thinks he will stop at Ukraine is deceiving themselves. Forcing Ukraine to cede territory will only make Putin more greedy.

Robinson: What would be the consequences if the U.S. forced Ukraine to cede territory?

Biden: It will bring great political, military, and economic pressure to Europe. NATO countries close to Russia may be forced to "make compromises", and the security system of Europe will retreat as a result.

Robinson: Are you worried that the NATO alliance is collapsing before our eyes?

Biden: I am deeply concerned about this. If NATO collapses, the course of history will change. The U.S. is not indispensable, but we are the only country capable of uniting allies. If we withdraw, Russia and China will take advantage of the situation.

Robinson: Are you worried that the memory of sacrifices during World War II is being forgotten in the U.S.?

Biden: I am indeed a little worried, not the people, but the leadership is forgetting. My parents' generation knew that democracy was once precarious, so we established NATO. The alliance provides us with security guarantees.

Robinson: Is Trump weakening America's alliance system?

Biden: Whether it is destruction or at least significant weakening. When he talks about Canada, he seems to want to turn Canada into the 51st state of the U.S., completely ignoring our 80-year partnership and stability.

Robinson: Some critics say that although you have stopped Russia's invasion, you have not let Ukraine truly win. What do you think?

Biden: We have given Ukraine everything they need to protect their independence. But we also avoided a third world war between two nuclear powers, which is very important.

Robinson: What prevented you from striking deeper into Russian territory?

Biden: Every time the situation becomes tense, Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons. This is not Russian roulette. Striking too hard at Russian territory brings the risk of nuclear escalation, and I must avoid this situation.

Robinson: Do you think Trump's behavior is like a monarch?

Biden: I don't want to comment directly. But he is not like a Republican president.

Robinson: Do you think American democracy is now under threat?

Biden: A bit better than before. The Republican Party is awakening. People see courts being ignored and Congress being marginalized, and they don't like this situation.

Robinson: Do you regret your timing of withdrawing from the election?

Biden: No regrets. We had good momentum at the time, and I was ready to hand over power to a new generation. But it is really difficult to leave halfway through success.

Biden cited historical lessons multiple times in the interview, emphasizing the importance of alliances and collective security. He warned that Trump's foreign policy not only threatens Ukraine's sovereignty but may also shake the foundation of NATO, having a profound impact on the global security landscape.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831500683296841/

Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views only.