US VP to attend Munich Security Conference as Russia tensions flare
In addition to Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to attend
US Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Germany in mid-February for the Munich Security Conference, which for three days brings together high-ranking foreign policy and defence officials.
The first conference in the Bavarian city was in 1963 as the Cold War simmered. At this year's gathering, which begins on February 18, all eyes will once again be on Moscow.
The threat of conflict is looming over Eastern Europe as more than 100,000 Russian troops amass at Ukraine's border.
The United States and European powers are engaging in a mix of diplomacy and deterrence to prevent a feared invasion, and the effort is expected to continue in Munich as Harris tries to rally allies.
A White House spokesperson said that Harris, on her second trip to Europe since taking office, "will demonstrate our ironclad commitment to our NATO allies" and to "Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."
In addition to Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to attend.
Russia absent
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it would not send any representatives, citing "various reasons." Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been to the conference in the past.
Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to invade Ukraine.
Last year, the security conference only met online because of the pandemic.
This year it is to take place again in person at the luxury hotel Bayerischer Hof, although some meetings will held in a hybrid format.
Instead of the usual 2,000 participants, only 600 are allowed this time. Each one must take a daily polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and all must be vaccinated.