At the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris was direct, saying, “In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence. We know the legal standards, and there is no doubt: These are crimes against humanity.” She spoke of “gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape, and deportation.”
The vice president stressed, “And I say to all those who have perpetrated these crimes and to their superiors who are complicit in these crimes: You will be held to account,” adding, “Let us all agree, on behalf of all the victims, both known and unknown, justice must be served. Such is our moral interest.”
And Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued the formal finding: “Based on a careful analysis of the law and available facts, I have determined that members of Russia’s forces and other Russian officials have committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine,” concluding that “the United States will pursue justice for the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
