WASHINGTON, Feb 17: Vice-President Kamala Harris is reaching the notorious
Munich on Friday for a trial by fire at a security conference during the weekend.
She has also been deputed by her boss and mentor President Joe Biden to try
and unite the European countries, to stop them from dithering and get on with
the great task on their hands to stop Russia, by war or by diplomacy, from annexing
neighbouring Ukraine.
On the margins of the annual conference of world's top security officials,
which Harris is scheduled to address, her more high-profile series of meetings
with the European leaders take place in the background of Russia announcing
a pushback from the Ukrainean border on Tuesday and the US and the NATO calling
it a false claim as, in fact, more troops are joining the buildup. The troop
withdrawal statement was intended to belie the US prediction that a Russian
invasion was certain on Wednesday.
"The Vice-President's schedule is going to be very intense, and it will include
a series of high-stakes, high-level diplomatic talks," an administration official
told reporters on Wednesday evening.
Unfolding a hectic schedule, Harris will on Friday meet with NATO Secretary
General Jens Stoltenberg and the leaders of the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania that are jittery over the consequences in case a war breaks out,
because of their geographical positioning.
On Saturday she will deliver her keynote addrress intended to bring about unity
among the Europeans over the singular agenda of focussing on the Ukrainean crisis.
She will discuss the economic consequences of sanctions on Russia, a diplomatic
solution, bolstering NATO's eastern flank, invasion, the extent of devastation
in case of war and other essential ingredients of a confrontation. Harris is
expected to inspire the NATO as well as the European Union to close their ranks
and strengthen coordination to face Putin's disastrous military advances.
She will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor
Olaf Scholz on the margins of the security conference being held from February 18
to 20, apart from other European heads of state.
Described by the media during election as a complete novice vis-a-vis foreign
affairs, Harris has been quickly provided ample opportunities to hone her skills
in international relations. This is the second time she has gone to Europe,
after her trip to France in November last where she met several European leaders.
While dealing with one of the difficult tasks assigned to her by Biden - migration
from Central America - she also held talks with leaders in Honduras, Guatemala
and Mexico. Besides, she has already made official trips to Singapore and Vietnam.
Marking a turnaround from recent popularity dip in opinion polls, the first
woman VP is all set to make history, make America future ready!
