In his first interview since leaving the White House, former U.S. President Joe Biden warned that deteriorating relations between the United States and Europe during Donald Trump’s leadership risk altering the course of modern history in a negative way.
Speaking from his home state of Delaware to BBC’s Nick Robinson, Biden criticized the Trump administration’s foreign policy, especially its treatment of long-standing allies like the European Union and its approach to the war in Ukraine.
He expressed deep concern over a future without NATO, cautioning that such a scenario would empower adversaries like China and Russia.
“That would be a serious threat,” Biden said. “It could reshape the modern history of the world.”
He added, “The U.S. may not be the ‘essential’ nation, but we’re uniquely positioned to unify others and lead globally.”
Kamala Harris Criticizes Trump in Post-Election Speech
In her first major public remarks since the election defeat, Vice President Kamala Harris accused Trump of exploiting fear, saying, “He’s counting on fear to spread like a contagion.”
Biden emphasized that without NATO, no effective resistance would remain against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
“Do you think Putin would’ve stopped at Ukraine?” he asked. “There’s no strength without alliances. They’re cost-effective and strategically vital.”
The interview coincides with commemorations of VE Day’s 80th anniversary in Europe, a symbolic moment as Biden voiced concern that America’s reliability on the world stage is eroding.
He warned that allies may soon begin to question U.S. commitment: “European leaders are asking themselves, ‘Can I trust the U.S. to remain a dependable partner?’”
Criticism of Trump’s Approach to Russia
Biden described Trump’s handling of the Ukraine conflict and his willingness to pressure Kyiv into territorial concessions as “modern-day appeasement.”
“Putin can’t bear the collapse of the Soviet Union and anyone who believes he’ll stop is naïve,” Biden said. “Allowing a dictator to seize land unchallenged won’t satisfy him—it’ll encourage more aggression.”
Trump has seemingly echoed Russian narratives on Ukraine since his call with Vladimir Putin on February 12, raising further alarm.
Contentious Ceasefire Proposals
Russia has insisted Ukraine relinquish its claims to occupied territories and officially acknowledge Russian control. The U.S. has proposed a peace deal that includes Ukraine making significant concessions, including recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea—a peninsula annexed in 2014.
Ukraine has firmly rejected these demands.
Biden Rebukes Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting
Biden criticized the Oval Office exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February, which escalated into a heated argument.
“I thought it was unworthy of America,” Biden said, also condemning Trump’s past ambitions to annex territories like Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal.
“What kind of president talks like that? That’s not America. We stand for freedom, democracy, and opportunity—not land grabs,” he asserted.
The interview comes just over 100 days into Trump’s second term, already marked by sweeping actions, including the imposition of widespread trade tariffs.
