Vice President Kamala Harris said the U.S. has concluded that Russia committed “crimes against humanity” in its invasion of Ukraine and vowed that Moscow would be held to account for its actions.
“In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence, we know the legal standards, and there is no doubt,” Harris said in an address Saturday to the Munich Security Conference. “The United States has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity. To all of those who are perpetrating these crimes — and to their superiors, who are complicit in these crimes — you will be held to account.”
While officials from President Joe Biden’s administration have repeatedly accused Russia of war crimes and urged Ukraine to document any atrocities committed, Harris’ comments are likely to give new momentum to efforts to ensure that crimes are eventually prosecuted.
