File picture: Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech is predicted to be carefully watched by European leaders for US positioning on Ukraine and comes at a really high-stakes second for the administration and world politics.
By Jasmine Wright | CNN
Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this weekend when she embarks on her newest high-stakes journey to the Munich Safety Convention in Germany, senior administration officers stated Wednesday, as Russia amasses forces on Ukraine’s border.
The vice chairman will keep a “very intense,” schedule when she is in Munich, the senior administration officers stated, as she leads the US’ delegation amid grave warnings that a Russian invasion into Ukraine may come any day. The assembly with Zelensky, their first-ever engagement, will likely be considered one of a number of high-level conferences Harris will maintain.
“We're in a really decisive second,” a senior administration official advised reporters on a preview name Wednesday. “The vice chairman is main the US delegation to the Munich Safety Convention this yr, as a convincing sign that engagement with our allies and companions is a completely important a part of our general diplomacy in our strategy to this case.”
Harris’ newest high-profile overseas journey comes because the US has partnered with key allies in try to discourage Russia from invading Ukraine, and the journey will function yet one more main diplomatic check for Harris. This would be the vice chairman’s second journey to Europe, following on her journey to Paris in November. The vice chairman has visited a number of different nations, together with Guatemala, Mexico, Singapore and Vietnam. Her overseas coverage portfolio has largely been targeted on Central America, because the President tasked Harris with addressing the foundation causes of migration within the area.
Officers say she will likely be discussing a “full vary of points,” with overseas leaders, together with unity between allies, the financial penalties which have been prepped prematurely if Russia have been to invade and a diplomatic path to de-escalation.
On Friday, Harris will meet with NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg and have a multilateral assembly with the leaders of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
“(In) each of those conferences, she's going to focus on the newest developments associated to Russia’s buildup on Ukraine’s border, our work collectively on deterrence and diplomacy, our pressure posture, and our readiness to additional reinforce NATO allies on the japanese flank,” the senior administration official stated.
Harris may even on Friday maintain a separate assembly with US congressional leaders who're attending the convention.
On Saturday, Harris will ship her keynote speech. One of many senior administration officers stated she's going to give attention to addressing the scenario on Ukraine’s border, risk of Russian aggression and the newest state of play. Harris is predicted to tout the unity amongst US allies that the administration says they’ve maintained, in addition to make the case that any invasion will depart Russia weaker whereas resassuring allies of the US’ dedication to NATO and companions broadly.
Harris’ speech is predicted to be carefully watched by European leaders for US positioning on Ukraine and comes at a really high-stakes second for the administration and world politics.
After her speech, she’s anticipated to satisfy with Zelensky and German Chancellor Scholz on the margins of the convention, the senior administration official added, along with different overseas leaders who weren't instantly named.