In the 2022 US Presidential Debate held on Thursday evening in Atlanta, Georgia, former president Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump traded accusations over their foreign policy records. Both candidates accused each other of encouraging Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Trump argued that Biden had damaged America’s reputation on the world stage, and that it was one of the factors that convinced Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch a military operation in February 2022. He alleged that if Biden had been more respected by Putin, he would not have invaded Ukraine.
Biden suggested that Putin “saw the incompetence” of Washington during the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021. It was “the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country,” Biden said. Trump’s actions encouraged Putin to take over Ukraine, he added.
Trump interjected, saying that he never said that. He argued that it was actually Biden who had encouraged Russia during his time as vice president by pushing for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and refusing to condemn the Ukrainian government’s actions in a certain region.
Biden then claimed that Trump had actually “encouraged” Putin, stating that he would have been more respectful towards the Russian leader if elected president.
Asked by CNN’s Dana Bash if the peace terms proposed by Putin to Ukraine were “acceptable to you,” Trump replied: “No, they’re not acceptable.” He then reiterated his claim that he would “have that war settled” if reelected.
Biden stressed that the US must continue helping Ukraine and claimed that Russia could potentially attack a NATO country in the future. He argued that it was foolish to suggest that Russia’s actions in Ukraine were limited to that region, and that Putin’s next move could be against Poland or another NATO member state if he felt emboldened by America’s actions.
If [Putin] takes Ukraine, what do you think will happen to Poland?” Biden asked the audience watching at home. I’ve never heard so much foolishness. This is a guy who wants to get out of NATO,” he said about Trump.
In response, Putin has repeatedly said that Russia has no intention of attacking NATO members, and that it was “stupid” to suggest otherwise.