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US Vice President Harris: “And America will continue to lead”
Photo: Anna Szilagyi / EPA
US Vice President Kamala Harris has made a clear commitment to American involvement in NATO. In the eyes of the US government, NATO is central to global security and the greatest military alliance the world has ever seen, Harris said at the Munich Security Conference.
The US will not follow the path of isolation. “In these troubled times, it is clear that America cannot retreat,” Harris continued. "And America will continue to take the lead." Harris responded to the statements made by Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, without mentioning him by name.
He had threatened European allies that he would not defend them as US president if they did not spend enough on armaments. Harris, on the other hand, campaigned vehemently for strengthening NATO and other international alliances in which the US is involved.
“They believe that it is in the best interests of the American people to isolate themselves from the world, disregard common agreements between nations, embrace dictators and adopt repressive tactics,” criticized Harris, alluding to Trump. "This worldview is dangerous, destabilizing and indeed short-sighted," she emphasized. "Such a view would weaken America and undermine global stability and prosperity."
With regard to the allies in Europe, the US Vice President said: “You have made it clear that Europe will stand by Ukraine. And I will make it clear that President Joe Biden and I stand with Ukraine.”
Trump made it clear during a campaign appearance on Saturday that he would not grant protection from Russia to NATO partners who do not meet their financial obligations. "A president of a large country" once asked him whether the United States would still protect this country from Russia even if it did not pay for defense spending, he said. He replied: "No, I wouldn't protect you."
On the other hand, he would “even encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want.” It was unclear whether there had ever been such a conversation between Trump and a head of state, because the Republican also said: "Let's assume that happened."
Rejection of billions in military aid for Ukraine “just a gift to Putin”
According to Trump's statements, the question of whether the Europeans can still rely on the USA is overshadowing this year's security conference. Harris therefore assured the Europeans that nothing would change in Washington's policy, at least under President Joe Biden. "It would be foolish to jeopardize all of this," she said. At the same time, Harris warned US Republicans in the House of Representatives to reject billions in military aid for Ukraine: "This would just be a gift to Putin."
eru/Reuters/dpa