US Vice President Kamala Harris has accused Russia of committing “crimes against humanity” for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine began almost a year ago.
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At the Munich Security Conference, Ms. Harris, a former prosecutor, gave a chilling tally of abuses attributed to Russia, citing systematic bombings of civilians and critical infrastructure, torture and rape attributed to Russian soldiers, the deportations of Ukrainians to Russia, including thousands of children separated from their families.
“We’ve looked at the evidence, we know the legal standards and there is no doubt: these are crimes against humanity,” she said during a speech.
“And I say to all those who have committed these crimes and their superiors or accomplices in these crimes: they will be held accountable,” she warned.
Since the invasion began, the United States has documented or cataloged more than 30,600 war crimes cases committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, the US State Department said.
“There must be no impunity for these crimes,” stressed US diplomatic chief Antony Blinken in a separate press release.
“As Long As It Takes”
Kiev has called for the establishment of a special court to try top Russian officials, but its precise form raises complex legal questions.
In line with her allies, the US vice president also reiterated that the United States – by far Kiev’s main arms supplier – would support that country “for as long as necessary” and reaffirmed the solidity of the transatlantic and NATO links. towards Russia.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had previously warned of a defeat for Ukraine.
“The greatest risk of all is that Putin wins. If Putin wins in Ukraine, the message for him and other authoritarian leaders will be that they can use force to get what they want,” he warned.
The Kremlin is mobilizing “hundreds of thousands of soldiers” and getting “more weapons from authoritarian countries like Iran and North Korea,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for “double efforts” on military aid to Ukraine to “thwart (Vladimir) Putin’s imperialist plans”.
Almost a year after the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, there is no appeasement in sight. Russian troops have captured almost a fifth of Ukrainian territory, the fighting has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides, and NATO fears a new major offensive from Moscow soon.
Fear of a long war
“Our priority is to ensure Ukraine’s strength on the ground,” Harris said.
The day before, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz had said they feared a long war on the first day of the conference.
In particular, the President of the Commission insisted on accelerating the production of standard weapons such as ammunition, which Kiev “urgently” needs.
“It is not possible that we have to wait months or years before we can restock” to deliver this material to Ukraine, she pointed out.
According to diplomatic sources in Brussels, EU members are currently exploring ways to make joint purchases of ammunition for Ukraine.
The US military on Friday announced a nearly $1 billion contract to boost production of 155mm caliber artillery ammunition, used in bulk by Ukraine.
Allies are supporting Ukraine with financial and military aid, including western-made heavy tanks, albeit slow to arrive on the ground, and drastic economic sanctions against Russia.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hinted in Munich that the next international conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction will be held in London in June.
Ukraine is also clamoring for allied fighter jets, which are currently reluctant.