Biden memoir reveals private impressions of Zelensky, Putin and Trump team talks
Joe Biden described Vladimir Putin as having a "capricious tone" and said Vladimir Zelensky could be stiff in private conversations and less grateful than he expected. Biden also said he rejected a request from Donald Trump's team to authorize direct talks with Putin before Trump returned to office, fearing it would amount to a capitulation for Ukraine.
Key points
- Biden described Putin as having a "capricious tone" and often slouching or appearing indifferent during meetings.
- Biden said Zelensky's acting experience proved "very good training" for him.
- Biden said Zelensky could be stiff in private conversations and less grateful than he expected.
- Biden rejected a letter that would have allowed Trump's team to negotiate directly with Putin before the inauguration.
- Biden said he feared such talks would amount to a capitulation for Ukraine.
- Biden's memoir "Promises, America" was due out on Tuesday, November 17.
- Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastases, scored 9 on the Gleason scale.
Why it matters
Biden's personal assessments offer a glimpse into how a former U.S. president viewed the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. His explanation for blocking pre-inauguration contacts with Putin is especially relevant because he framed the proposal as potentially requiring Ukraine to capitulate.
What happened
In excerpts from his memoir "Promises, America," Biden recounted private interactions with Zelensky and Putin. He praised Zelensky's acting background while acknowledging that the Ukrainian president could appear stiff in private and was not as grateful as he had expected. He characterized Putin as capricious and disengaged during meetings. Biden also said members of Trump's transition team asked him to sign a letter authorizing them to hold direct talks with Putin before Trump's inauguration, but he refused, fearing such negotiations would effectively produce a Ukrainian capitulation.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage focused on Biden's relationships with Zelensky and Putin, particularly his refusal to give Trump's team a mandate to negotiate directly with Moscow. The excerpts also included Biden's blunt personal descriptions of both leaders.
Background
The excerpts were published ahead of the planned Tuesday, November 17 release of Biden's memoir "Promises, America." Separately, Biden's office said his prostate cancer was rated 9 on the Gleason scale, indicating a highly aggressive form. Trump wished him a quick recovery after the diagnosis was reported and later questioned why it had not become public earlier.