A backup plane returned Vice President Kamala Harris back to the U.S. Saturday after mechanical issues grounded her initial plane.
The C-17 support plane Saturday that transported her from Germany became Air Force Two, which is the designation given a plane flying with the vice president aboard.
“Due to maintenance difficulties, the VP and the traveling party will depart Munich to Washington, D.C., on a back-up aircraft,” a White House official informed reporters.
VP Harris represented President Biden at the Munich Security Conference where top diplomats planned discussions about security issues such as Ukraine and Russia over the weekend.
Harris reminded security conference attendees she predicted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during last year’s conference.
“Many wondered: Could Russia be stopped? Would NATO come together? Would NATO break apart? And would Ukraine be prepared?” the vice president remarked.
“Kyiv is still standing,” she added, to applause. “Russia is weakened.”
She performed the foremost duty of any vice president by blowing Biden’s horn before the European audience. Harris declared the U.S. demonstrated decisive leadership regarding Ukraine under Biden’s leadership.
“As President Biden often says,” added Harris. “The United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will not waver.”
The U.S. vice president accused Russia of committing war crimes and horrendous atrocities in its campaign to conquer and control Ukraine. She called such actions an assault on common values and humanity.
Russian forces pursued a widespread attack against civilians, Harris claimed, citing gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape and deportation.
She further charged the Russian Federation of forcibly deporting legions of Ukrainians to Russia, including children — some of whom she said were separated from family.
“In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence,” declared the former California prosecutor, adding there is no doubt these are crimes against humanity.
“The United States has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity,” the vice president added. “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.”
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