Exclusive: Kamala Harris discusses Ukraine support, Russia’s ‘crimes against humanity’
“Absolutely.”
Vice President Kamala Harris then said it again: “Absolutely.”
Harris’ conviction was in response this question asked during an exclusive interview with The Sacramento Bee: Had she taken into consideration the ramifications of someone with her stature accusing Russia of “crimes against humanity”?
Harris in a speech to defense and diplomatic VIPs at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday forcefully framed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began a year ago, as a moral outrage, a campaign of unrelenting barbarism.
“In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine,” Harris said, “we have examined the evidence; we know the legal standards; and there is no doubt: These are crimes against humanity.”
Her aggressive, stark tone was a strong warning to Moscow about the resolve of the United States and its allies. There was concern that she, and President Biden, are creating new tension that could deepen Russia’s resolve and further escalate the Ukraine conflict.
Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, saw the latest rhetorical offensives in a very different way.
“There is no doubt that the purpose of such attacks is to justify Washington’s own actions to fuel the Ukrainian crisis,” he said in a post on social media Saturday.
Harris’ speech was part of a Biden administration strategy to show strong, united resolve against Russia, and was a prelude of sorts to nearly identical comments from President Joe Biden Tuesday..
Four days later, Biden said in a speech in Warsaw, “They have committed depravity, crimes against humanity without shame or compunction.”
‘Crimes against humanity’
In an interview with Harris Thursday, the Bee asked the vice president about the thinking that went into her speech.
“There was a great deal of intentionality for me in terms of writing and delivering the speech as I did,” she said.
That intention was “to first and foremost be clear we stand firm in our commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine.”
When the Russian invasion began there were questions about the strength and unity of NATO, as well as the allies’ commitment.
“A year later it is important for the United States to be very clear that we have not wavered,” Harris said.
She recited the basis for her accusation about crimes against humanity, “based on our review and my review of the evidence and the facts, that Russia has committed crimes against humanity.”
Harris cited Russia’s March massacre in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. What Russia called a “cleansing” operation left people dead in the streets and what Associated Press described as “organized brutality.” Or the death of a pregnant woman who died along with her baby after Russia bombed a maternity hospital in Mariupol.
.
Lagging American support
Many Americans have begun to question how long and how much the United States should remain involved in the conflict.
An Associated Press-NORC poll in late January found 48% of Americans back providing weapons to Ukraine, down from 60% in May. And Republican backing is softening.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, while saying he supports Ukraine, has also said he’s not about to give the effort a “blank check.”
“I support Ukraine,” McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, told CNN. “I think the actions that President Biden has taken are a bit too late.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, mentioned as a possible and formidable 2024 Republican presidential candidate, had similar thoughts. He told “Fox and Friends” Monday the Biden administration has “a blank-check policy.”
Harris countered by citing the bipartisan support at the Munich conference. Attending were “folks who rarely agree on anything but agree on this,” she said.
Among them was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who made it clear he supports the aid to Ukraine.
“I am a conservative Republican from America and I come in peace. Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated,” he told the Munich conference.
But is she concerned about the sagging public support, Harris was asked?
“I think there is no question that folks want to know that we can take care of domestic issues as well as (work with) our allies and partners around the world globally,” she said.
The strong argument for continued support, she said — and Biden has echoed — is that “I do believe the United States should stand strong based on moral values and principles and stand with our partners and our allies.
“Historically,” she said, “that’s what we’ve done if you look at the course of history, and where we’ve been.”
This story was originally published February 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
.jpg)