Kamala Harris accuses Russia of committing crimes against humanity in war against Ukraine, vows that justice will be served

Vice President Kamala Harris accused Russia of committing crimes against humanity during its war against Ukraine. The vice president vowed that those who are complicit in the crimes would be held accountable.

"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 at the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday. "These are crimes against humanity.”

"The United States has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity," Harris continued. "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."

"No nation is safe in a world where one country can violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another, where crimes against humanity are committed with impunity, where a country with imperialist ambitions can go unchecked," Harris proclaimed.

Harris accused Russia of committing "horrendous atrocities and war crimes."

She added, "Let us all agree — on behalf of all the victims, both known and unknown, justice must be served.”

"Let us renew our commitment to accountability," Harris said. "Let us renew our commitment to the rule of law."

Harris wrote on Twitter, "The United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will always stand on the side of freedom, democracy, and justice."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement that read, "Based on a careful analysis of the law and available facts, I have determined that members of Russia’s forces and other Russian officials have committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine."

"Members of Russia’s forces have committed execution-style killings of Ukrainian men, women, and children; torture of civilians in detention through beatings, electrocution, and mock executions; rape; and, alongside other Russian officials, have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians to Russia, including children who have been forcibly separated from their families," Blinken declared. "These acts are not random or spontaneous; they are part of the Kremlin’s widespread and systematic attack against Ukraine’s civilian population."

Blinken added, "We reserve crimes against humanity determinations for the most egregious crimes."

Blinken said the United States has a "deep commitment" in holding Russian officials accountable for their "atrocities against the people of Ukraine."

Last March, the Biden administration formally determined that Russian soldiers had committed war crimes in Ukraine. Now, the administration is accusing Russia of widespread and systematic attacks on civilians.

The United Nations defines a crime against humanity as physical acts such as torture, rape, murder, extermination, enslavement, and imprisonment that are "committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack."

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