Vice President Kamala Harris has accused Russia of committing “crimes against humanity” in a speech she delivered on Saturday.
Harris, speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany only days before the 1-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, described her time as a prosecutor before becoming vice president. Harris stated that she knew the importance of gathering facts and “holding them up against the law.”
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“In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence. We know the legal standards, and there is no doubt: these are crimes against humanity,” Harris said, receiving applause from the audience. “The United States has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity.”
The vice president went on to warn anyone who has “perpetrated these crimes” will be held responsible. Additionally, she asked everyone in the audience to “renew their commitment” to accountability and the rule of law.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated Harris’s statement on Russia, claiming the country’s forces and other Russian officials have committed “crimes against humanity.” Blinken accused Russian forces of committing execution-style killings of Ukrainian citizens, including women and children, torturing Ukrainian civilians through beatings and electrocution, and deporting Ukrainians to Russia, according to a statement released Saturday.
Other U.S. politicians attending the Munich Security Conference included Senate leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), both of whom spoke on Friday. In McConnell’s speech, he made an effort to assure that stories about Republican support for Ukraine wavering since the start of the war are false.
“Don’t look at Twitter,” McConnell said. “Look at people in power. Look at me and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Look at the top Republicans on the Senate and House committees that handle armed services, foreign affairs, appropriations, and intelligence” issues.”
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Schumer, in a rare praise of Republicans, thanked Republicans for cooperating with Democrats and President Joe Biden in providing extensive aid for Ukraine.
“To the people of Ukraine, I pledge that the United States Senate will not abandon our commitment to stand shoulder with you in this time of war. I am proud that the U.S. Senate has approved $113 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine over the last year,” Schumer said.
