At Least Kamala Harris Supports Ukraine, Dislikes Putin

Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s selected vice-presidential nominee, brings to the Democratic frontrunner’s campaign knowledge of issues facing Ukraine and a desire to assist it against Russian aggression.

No, she didn’t say anything new since her selection yesterday, but in a wide-ranging interview on foreign policy issues with the Council of Foreign Relations published on August 21, 2019, Harris used the proper words to describe the dire situation faced by Ukraine and its source.

When asked what steps she would take to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine, she frankly said Russia used military force to seize territory in Ukraine and Georgia and undermined democratically elected governments.

“Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea is a severe violation of the international norms that have guided the world since World War II – as are Russia’s support for combat operations in eastern Ukraine and its cyber-attacks,” she said. She accused Russia of contributing to the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians as well as 298 civilians killed when Moscow shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014.
At the time, when she was a Democratic Party presidential hopeful, Harris said if elected she would continue to support Ukraine and ensure the United States is “unequivocal in affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

She continued, “I would also prioritize working with the government of Ukraine to build out its military, strengthen its civil society, and combat corruption, while working closely with our European partners on a diplomatic solution.”

Harris pointed out that her position is different than the one professed by President Donald Trump, adding that she will “consistently stand up to Putin in defense of democratic values, human rights, and the international rule of law” – something that Trump declines to do.

Well, on that point Harris is correct. Hopefully, together with Joe Biden, who was President Barack Obama’s point man of issues pertaining to Ukraine, the Democrats have a duo that will support Ukraine against Russian aggression and set apart Putin as the global threat to all former captive nations and the free world.

We’ll keep you updated.

The complete interview with Harris can be read here: https://www.cfr.org/article/kamala-harris