She isn’t backing down.
In the latest in the Ukraine-Russia crisis, Vice President Kamala Harris has warned Russia that an invasion of Ukraine would have dire economic repercussions. She made these remarks at the pulpit of a defense conference attended by world leaders.
Speaking at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany, Harris declared that the cost of evading Ukraine would be “significant and unprecedented” with U.S. allies prepared to place sanctions “that will be swift, severe, and united.”
Harris continued her statements, saying, “The foundation of European security is under direct threat in Ukraine,” before adding, “national borders should not be changed by force.”
The Vice President also declared that the U.S. would follow through with its promise to carry out hardhanded and sweeping financial sanctions and export controls targeting Russian industries.
She continued her remarks, saying that “those who are complicit and those who aid and abet this unprovoked invasion” would also be targeted. Yet Harris emphasized that the administration was still open to “diplomatic resolution,” before adding that if those diplomatic efforts “lead to a dead-end” there would be consequences.
As reports of attacks inside Ukraine’s eastern territories abound and Russia moves more troops to Ukraine’s border, Harris acknowledged that “This playbook is familiar to us all.”
She noted that “Russia will plead ignorance and innocence. It will create false pretext for invasion, and it will amass troops and firepower in plain sight,” highlighting that the U.S. and its allies have worked in “good faith” to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Harris expressed that while the Soviet nation claimed “it is ready for talks,” its actions show otherwise.
Her remarks come as President Biden revealed that he believed Russia would invade Ukraine, statements he made on Friday.
