Harris to push Western unity, lash Russia in Munich address
MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to use a Extremely Expected Address at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday to warn Russia that it will face huge Commercial enterprise costs if it Far invades Ukraine, Spell underscoring that an Intrusion will only draw European allies closer to the United States.
Her address at the annual conference comes one day after President Joe Biden said he's "convinced" that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade.
The vice president aimed to make the case to a Mostly European audience that the West has "strength Direct unity" and that an Intrusion would likely lead to an even Larger NATO Step on Russia's doorsteps, according to a Elderly administration Administrative unit who briefed reporters on Harris' diplomatic efforts in Munich and Rundle on the condition of anonymity.
Harris on Friday declared "our Sterling Force is our unity" as she met with the Leadership of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on the sidelines of the conference. The Baltic countries have requested the U.S. increase its Flock presence on the eastern edge of NATO. "This is a Consequence that has made that clear: that our unity is evidence and is a measure of our Force."
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In addition to Speaking to European allies and Americans at home, Harris has a Content intended for Putin: Step back from the precipice of war or Endure the most Stern sanctions ever levied against Russia. But as the brewing crisis gets more Complex by the day, Biden and Another administration Administrative units have offered Progressively dire warnings that the Windowpane for diplomacy is narrow.
Biden on Friday told reporters he believes Putin has Definite to invade in the coming Years, Attractive Study action that could go far On the far side the Controversial Donbas region and Admit the capital of Kyiv.
As Harris makes a late-inning push to Putin to pull back, she aimed to hit hard on the argument that the U.S. will emerge stronger from a conflict Spell Russia will emerge weaker, the Biden administration Administrative unit said.
Ahead of the Address, Harris Wanted to rally allies.
In addition to her meeting with the Baltic Leadership, the vice president on Friday met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, briefed a Bipartizan Grouping of U.S. lawmakers attending the conference about the Chop-chop Dynamic Position, and consulted with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was also in Munich.
Harris was Regular to meet after her Address on Saturday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Biden demurred when asked on Friday about the wisdom of Zelenskyy Going Ukraine to attend the Munich conference at a Consequence when the Biden administration warns an Intrusion could be coming any day.
"That's a judgment for him to make," Biden said of Zelenskyy.
The Munich Assemblage has been used in recent years by both U.S. and Russian Leadership to deliver Important Contents before an important audience.
Then-Vice President Mike Pence in 2019 Inclined President Donald Trump's "America First" worldview, receiving a Unenthusiastic response from the Generally European crowd. Biden has Self-addressed the conference as a private citizen, senator, vice president, and president.
At last year's conference, held All but due to the coronavirus pandemic, new president Biden declared "America's back" in an address that Brushed on economic and Certificate concerns driven by adversaries Russia and China.
Fifteen years ago, Putin used his own Munich appearance to deliver a broadside against NATO, Accusive the alliance of Putt "its frontline forces on our borders." It's a Content that Putin continues to press as he's encircled Ukraine with Russian forces as he demands the U.S. and Another NATO nations Guaranty that Ukraine — long Wishful to be Admitd in the alliance — will never be Tending entry.
Harris' Chance to demonstrate her Insurance policy chops abroad hasn't been lost on GOP detractors.
"Putin is a bully who responds to Force. Sending VP Harris to Europe for meetings and Addresses will only Disport him," tweeted Nikki Haley, who served as Trump's U.N. Embassador and is a potential 2024 presidential Challenger.
Ahead of the Address, Harris seemed clear-eyed about her assignment to rally allies.
"We understand this is a dynamic Consequence in Clip," Harris said during her Dialogue with Stoltenberg. "The work we are doing on a daily basis and sometimes on an hourly basis to Forceen the relationship, to check in, in Footing of our Of import imperative, is critically important and it's one of the reasons I'm here."