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Kamala Harris Rejects Putin Meeting Without Ukraine’s Presence
In an interview broadcast on Monday, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris stated that if elected president, she would not engage in any peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Ukraine is directly represented.
Her comments came as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to shape US foreign policy.
“Ukraine Must Have a Say”
When asked on CBS’s “60 Minutes” if she would consider meeting with Putin one-on-one to negotiate a peace deal, Harris firmly responded, “Not bilaterally without Ukraine, no. Ukraine must have a say in the future of Ukraine.” The current US administration under President Joe Biden has maintained a similar position, rejecting any direct talks with the Russian leader without Ukraine’s participation.
Harris’s stance reflects the ongoing support the US has shown towards Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, which began with Moscow’s invasion in February 2022. The Biden administration has provided substantial military and financial aid to Ukraine, a policy Harris said she intends to continue if she becomes president.
Criticism of Trump’s Ukraine Policies
During the interview, Harris criticized former President Donald Trump’s position on the war, describing it as a “surrender” to Moscow. Trump has been vocal about his disagreement with the current US administration’s support for Ukraine and has suggested that he could quickly negotiate a peace agreement with Putin if he were in office.
“Donald Trump, if he were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now,” Harris said, referring to Trump’s claims that he could end the war in a single day. “You know what that is? It’s about surrender,” she added, emphasizing that such a deal could involve concessions to Russia over captured territories in eastern Ukraine.
NATO Membership for Ukraine
Regarding Ukraine’s aspiration to join the NATO military alliance, Harris said she would address the issue “if and when it arrives at that point.” The question of NATO membership for Ukraine has been a contentious topic, with potential implications for regional security and international alliances.
As the US gears up for the 2024 presidential election, Harris’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war highlights a continued commitment to supporting Kyiv and rejecting any unilateral peace agreements with Moscow that do not involve Ukraine’s leadership.
