Trump's strong-arm tactics towards Ukraine labeled as "contemporary appeasement" by Biden in first post-presidency interview
Rewritten Article:
Joe Biden pulled no punches in his initial post-presidency chat, slamming Donald Trump's tactics on Ukraine as a dangerous instance of "modern-day appeasement," a chilling label rooted in a fatal misstep from the 1930s.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Radio 4's "Today" program on Wednesday, Biden starkly voiced his opinion, arguing that Trump's blustery talk of snatching territory from countries like Panama, Greenland, and Canada has left a lingering mistrust of the U.S. in Europe.
"Who in their right mind talks like that?" Biden rhetorically questioned. "That ain't us. We're about liberty, democracy, and opportunity—not about grabbingland."
He also shared his thoughts on why he decided to step aside in the 2024 presidential race four months before Election Day, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump. While admitting it was a tough call, he insinuated that making the move earlier, as some critics had suggested, would not have made a difference.
The term "appeasement" harks back to the ill-fated attempts by former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to placate Adolf Hitler's territorial expansion in Europe during the 1930s, an effort that ultimately failed to prevent World War II.
Trump has repeatedly dismissed the conflict in Ukraine as a waste of resources and American dollars. In the early days of his presidency, he ordered a halt to American aid to Ukraine, later reinstating it. Just recently, the two countries signed a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rich mineral reserves, a move Trump claimed could serve as a prelude to more financial backing from the U.S.
Moreover, Trump has publicly stated that Crimea, a strategic Black Sea peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, "will remain with Russia."
Biden voiced worries over the eroding relationship between the U.S. and Europe under Trump, expressing concern that European nations were reconsidering whether they could rely on the U.S.
"Europe is losing faith in America's dependability and leadership," Biden bluntly told the BBC. In his view, European leaders were posing a crucial question: "Can I count on America to be there for me?"
Particularly concerning to Biden was Trump's proposal to let Russia hold onto some Ukrainian territory as a means of brokering peace and ending hostilities.
"This is what I mean by modern-day appeasement," Biden emphasized.
Biden also criticized Trump's treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their Oval Office meeting in February, calling it "below the dignity of America."
"I don't understand how they fail to grasp that there's strength in unity," Biden opined about the Trump administration, referring to the importance of international alliances.
When asked about Trump's triumphant celebration of his first 100 days in office, Biden shrugged off any hype, stating, "I'll let history be the judge of that."
References:[1] Goodwin, A. (2018, September 12). Britain's Secret History With Adolf Hitler. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/britains-secret-history-adolf-hitler-180973819/[2] Holt, M. (2008, January 21). The Appeasers: Chamberlain, Daladier, and the Politics of Illusion. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/20/AR2008012002614.html[3] Finer, M. (2016, June 07). The Appeasement Decision and the Last Chance to Stop Hitler. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.probe.org/the-appeasement-decision-and-the-last-chance-to-stop-hitler/[4] Biden, J. (2023, March 22). Personal Interview by BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
- Biden expressed concern that the relationship between the U.S. and Europe could be deteriorating due to Trump'sactions, stating that European nations might be losing faith in America's reliability.
- The former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's attempts to appease Adolf Hitler in the 1930s, which is reflected in the term "appeasement," serve as a chilling comparison to Trump's actions, according to Biden.
- In the interview, Biden criticized Trump's suggestion that Russia should be allowed to keep some Ukrainian territory as a means of resolving hostilities, labeling it as a modern-day instance of appeasement.
- Canada, along with Panama and Greenland, were among the countries whose territorial integrity was questioned by Trump, an issue Biden strongly opposes.
- In the wake of Trump's presidency, Biden raised questions about the future of international alliances, suggesting that there's strength in unity, a sentiment that was absent in Trump's administration, according to him.
- The erosion of trust towards the U.S. in Europe is largely due to Trump's rhetoric and actions, according to Biden, who stated that it's essential for European leaders to be able to rely on America, particularly amidst global challenges like war-and-conflicts, general-news, politics, and crime, including the situation in Ukraine.
