US Vice President Warns "Harsh Consequences" if Russia Invades Ukraine

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris warned on the 18th (local time) that if Russia invades Ukraine, there will be "severe consequences" through sanctions imposed by the United States and Western allies.

According to AP News and others, Vice President Harris made these remarks on the same day in Munich, Germany, where she visited to attend the Munich Security Conference, meeting with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

She said, "We remain open to diplomacy," but added, "If Russia launches an attack, there will be severe consequences in terms of the sanctions previously discussed."

Following her meeting with Secretary General Stoltenberg, Vice President Harris also met with the leaders of the three Baltic states: Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. She emphasized, "We are united with NATO allies," and stated, "Article 5 of the NATO treaty is steadfast." Article 5 of NATO refers to the principle that if one member country is attacked, it is considered an attack on all NATO members, prompting collective defense.

The Munich Security Conference will continue until the 20th. Vice President Harris is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On the same day, the defense ministers of the United States and Russia held a phone call to discuss ways to ease tensions near the Ukraine border. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is visiting Europe including Belgium and Poland, urged Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu for de-escalation, troop withdrawal, and diplomatic solutions during their call regarding the Ukraine border area.

During his meeting with Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak in Warsaw, Poland, he also expressed concern that tens of thousands of refugees could come to Poland if Russia invades Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.