Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent interview with CBS News revealed her unscripted response to questions about what success looks like in ending the war in Ukraine. The interview took place after Russia invaded Ukraine following the Biden-Harris administration taking power, and amid concerns over NATO expansion into Ukraine. In a bid to end the war, former President Donald Trump has pledged to renegotiate peace if he were to be reelected.
The Biden-Harris administration’s stance on engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a peace deal remains uncertain as many Ukrainian citizens continue their mandatory military service amidst the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has expressed his disapproval of Putin in off-the-cuff remarks during a speech in 2022.
During the CBS interview, Vice President Kamala Harris provided an incoherent response when asked to define success in ending the war in Ukraine. She emphasized the importance of Ukraine and the UN Charter participating in any discussions about the future of Ukraine, and stated that she would not meet with Putin bilaterally without Ukraine’s involvement.
Regarding the potential expansion of NATO to include Ukraine, Harris did not outright confirm her stance on the matter but mentioned that the administration is currently focused on supporting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked aggression. This approach aligns with her comments during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, D.C., where she pledged to continue helping Ukraine fight Russia and expressed her respect for Ukraine’s desire to join NATO.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump has promised to end the war if reelected, stating that it is a shame that such a conflict has occurred and should have never happened. He aims to resolve the situation with a just peace in mind.