US Vice President Kamala Harris has accused Russia of massive human rights violations in Ukraine. This included murders, rapes and kidnapping of Ukrainian children to Russia. “It is barbaric and inhumane,” she told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. “We have examined the evidence, we know the legal norms and there is no doubt: these are crimes against humanity.”
Harris stressed that the US would work to ensure that Russian perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine are held accountable. “We cannot live in a world where countries do not obey rules and norms.”
The vice president of the United States threatened those responsible with consequences: “I say to all those who committed these crimes and to their superiors who are complicit in these crimes: you will be held accountable.” Crimes against humanity are serious violations of international law. They are characterized by systematic attacks against the civilian population. Examples of crimes against humanity include murder, enslavement and deportation.
In his speech, Harris also warned China against helping Russia militarily. Any move by China in that direction “would reward aggression, keep killing and further undermine a rules-based order.”
Dependence on authoritarian states
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had previously warned that European countries would not be too dependent on authoritarian states. “We must not make the same mistake with China,” Stoltenberg said. “What is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow,” he said.
According to Stoltenberg, the West should not become too dependent on imported products and raw materials, avoid exporting key technologies and “protect our critical infrastructure at home”. While trade and economic engagement must not stop with China, “our economic interests cannot trump our security interests.” Beijing is looking closely at “the price” Russia will pay for invading Ukraine. The West must give Ukraine “what it needs to win and continue as a sovereign and independent nation”.
Meanwhile, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi announced Beijing’s proposal for peace talks in the Ukraine war: “Let’s come up with something,” Wang told the security conference. China is in favor of a peaceful solution to the conflict, he adds, without elaborating.
Sunak demonstrates resistance
In Munich, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for tougher action by the international community against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Previous responses “are not strong enough,” Sunak said ahead of the plenary session. We are at a “tipping point” in this war. His government will support countries that can immediately supply fighter jets to Ukraine. Western allies must also ensure that Russia pays for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
After the announcement of a Chinese peace plan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, ruled out any loss of territory for his country. It is also in Ukraine’s interest for China to play a role in the pursuit of peace, but Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable, Kuleba told reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. “No concessions are possible, not even in the smallest square meter.”
After battle tanks and fighter jets, Ukraine presented its Western allies with a new weapon they wanted to use in the fight against Russia at the Munich Security Conference. Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Kubrakow called for cluster munitions and phosphorus weapons on Friday night – the use of both weapons is very controversial. Like Russia, your country also wants to use this “type of ammunition”.
“It’s our territory,” said Kubrakov. He understands the difficulties because of conventions, but this type of ammunition can help resist attackers. The Ukrainian deputy head of government alluded to the fact that the use of cluster munitions is prohibited under international law. Cluster munitions are rockets and bombs that explode in the air over the target, releasing many small explosive devices. Phosphorous ammunition can cause severe burns and poisoning in humans.
Uninvited Russian leadership
Politicians and experts from around 100 countries were invited to the security conference. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler will attend from Austria. For the first time in over 20 years, the Russian leadership was not invited. On the other hand, the Kremlin’s Russian opponent Mikhail Khodorkovsky and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov will be on the podium on Saturday night. Unlike in previous years, the Iranian leadership and AfD politicians also received no invitation.
Several thousand protesters
During the security conference, thousands of people took to the streets in more than a dozen demonstrations in the Bavarian state capital.
On Königsplatz alone, the police counted around 10,000 participants in the alliance campaign “Munich Stands Up”, which protested against corona measures during the pandemic. Only 4,000 were registered there. In the afternoon, the participants walked through Schwabing, although, according to the police, it was initially very quiet. Some 2,700 people attended the traditional “alliance of action against NATO security conference” demonstration at Stachus. About 300 of them formed a human chain towards Marienplatz, the others ran from Odeonsplatz to Marienplatz. Authorities counted around 1,000 people gathered at Odeonsplatz under the slogan “Together against war”.
In addition to these demonstrations, several smaller meetings were also held. Most of them initially had no major incidents, a police spokesman said in the afternoon. (apa)
Source: Chloé Pertuis and Anthony Wonner – Frandroid
