U.S. VP Harris will meet Ukraine's Zelenskiy, urge Putin to pull back

[AZProgressive]

MUNICH, Feb 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy in Munich on Saturday, in what is likely to be a powerful display of diplomatic support for the European nation, a day after President Joe Biden said he is "convinced" Russia had made a decision to invade Ukraine.

Harris will also deliver a highly anticipated address warning Russia that an invasion would likely lead to an even bigger NATO footprint on its doorstep and that it will face huge financial costs if it invades Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. administration official who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity.

Her message will, however, make clear the United States remains open to diplomacy "even at this late hour," the official said, even as Biden and other administration officials have given dire warnings that the window for diplomacy is narrow.

On Friday, Harris met NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and leaders from three Baltic nations and said Russia must show it is open to diplomacy, while heralding unity in the 30-member NATO alliance and warning Moscow of severe consequences if it invades Ukraine. read more

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-vp-harris-will-meet-ukraines-zelenskiy-urge-putin-pull-back-2022-02-19/?taid=6210990210f48d000192f9b1&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

[Slammer]

1. Harris

I think it's a bad idea for Zelenskiy to leave Ukraine while Russian forces are poised to attack. That just makes it too easy for Russia to disrupt Ukraine's command and control.

It would have been much better to have sent Harris to Kiev.

It's highly unlikely Russia would attack Kiev while the VP is there so it would buy Ukraine more time to prepare.