Joe Biden calls Zelenskyy ‘moody and stubborn,’ questions his gratitude in new memoir

In his forthcoming memoir, Joe Biden describes Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “moody and stubborn” in private and says the Ukrainian president showed less gratitude than he expected. The comments add to public criticism of Zelenskyy by Donald Trump and revisit tensions over how Ukraine should be supported and negotiations with Russia handled.

Biden says he refused a request from Trump’s team for a letter authorising direct talks with Vladimir Putin, fearing they could amount to surrender at Ukraine’s expense. He also praises Zelenskyy’s acting background as good preparation for leadership and recalls Putin trying to appear indifferent in meetings. During Biden’s presidency, US support included a $2.4 billion assistance package announced in September 2024, a Patriot air defence battery and expanded training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots.