Biden conta como recusou autorização para a equipa de Trump negociar com Putin
Joe Biden recounted in his memoirs “Prometo-te, América” that he rejected a request from Donald Trump’s transition team to allow direct talks with Vladimir Putin before Trump’s inauguration. Biden said he feared such talks would amount to a capitulation at Ukraine’s expense. He also described Vladimir Zelensky’s acting background and private demeanour, while portraying Putin as having a capricious tone and adolescent indifference.
Pontos principais
- A equipa de Donald Trump pediu a Biden que autorizasse negociações diretas com Vladimir Putin antes da sua-take de posse.
- Biden recusou por temer que as negociações implicassem uma capitulação à custa da Ucrânia.
- Biden descreveu o tom de Putin como «caprichoso» e a sua postura em reuniões como indiferente, à maneira de um adolescente.
- Afirmou que a experiência de Zelensky como ator foi «um excelente treino» para a liderança durante a guerra.
- Segundo Biden, Zelensky podia ser teimoso e variável de humor em conversas privadas, а также настаивал на военной помощи.
- As memórias «Prometo-te, América» estavam previstas para publicação na terça-feira, 17 de novembro.
Porque é importante
As memórias de Bidenshed light on how a former US president assessed Zelensky, Putin and Washington’s approach to Ukraine. His explanation for refusing advance authorisation for direct talks with Putin is particularly relevant because it presents such negotiations as potentially compromising Ukraine’s position. His comments may therefore influence debate over the US stance on the war and possible future negotiations.
O que aconteceu
In «Prometo-te, América», Biden said members of Donald Trump’s transition team asked him to sign a letter allowing them to conduct direct negotiations with Putin before Trump returned to the presidency. Biden declined, saying he did not want to give the team carte blanche for arrangements that could amount to a capitulation at Ukraine’s expense.
Biden also shared his personal impressions of the Ukrainian and Russian leaders. He wrote that Zelensky’s experience as an actor had been an excellent training for him as a wartime leader. At the same time, Biden said Zelensky could be stubborn and subject to mood swings in private conversations, and did not display the gratitude he had expected. He also described Zelensky as persistently seeking military assistance, an assessment that did not always appeal to the American side.
Of Putin, Biden wrote that he had a capricious tone and would often sit hunched during meetings, displaying indifference like an adolescent.
Como o descrevem as fontes ucranianas
Ukrainian coverage has focused primarily on Biden’s refusal to enable negotiations with Putin and his warning that this could mean a capitulation at Ukraine’s expense. The published accounts also foreground his private impressions of Zelensky, including his observations about stubbornness, mood swings and expressions of gratitude. His remarks about Putin were conveyed through descriptions of the Russian leader’s tone, manner of sitting and behaviour resembling an adolescent’s indifference.
Contexto
The episode described by Biden took place as Donald Trump’s transition team prepared for his return to the presidency. Biden was also reported to have been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer with metastases to the bones.