Ongoing tension between Ukraine and Russia has been a focus at the annual Munich Security Conference. Security officials from the West, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are all scheduled to speak during the weekend conference.
“I am here to ensure that through our discussions and the discussions that we have with other of our allies that we continue as the hours and the days progress to stay in close contact,” Harris said during a meeting with NATO officials.
“There’s a new war impending right in the middle of Europe, Russia issues an absolutely unacceptable threat with their troops build up,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during her opening remarks.
Blinken also addressed the conflict during a panel discussion with Baerbock.
“I think it’s very important for us to shine a light on what we see,” Blinken said. “Perhaps that will move Russia to a different path.”
Blinken will speak to Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov next week in another push for diplomacy.
“We are doing everything we possibly can to make clear that there’s a diplomatic path that this has to be resolved,” Blinken said during the panel discussion. “The differences have to be resolved through dialogue, through diplomacy.”