Vice President Kamala Harris represented the United States at an international gathering on the war in Ukraine and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss efforts towards achieving peace and providing support. Harris announced $1.5 billion in U.S. assistance, including funds for energy assistance, repairing damaged infrastructure, helping refugees, and strengthening civilian security following the aggression by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy emphasized that war is Putin’s choice, and the summit aimed to move towards real peace with the support of global leaders.
President Joe Biden attended a summit in Italy before heading to Los Angeles for a fundraiser, highlighting the competing demands on his time amidst an election year. Biden’s decision to skip the summit on Ukraine showcased the importance of balancing domestic and foreign policy priorities. Vice President Harris was chosen to represent the administration alongside national security advisor Jake Sullivan at the summit. While some viewed Biden’s absence as a missed opportunity, Harris’s role highlighted her capability on the global stage and her increasing visibility in representing the administration.
Harris has taken on a more prominent role in advocating for the administration’s policies across various issues, including abortion rights, economic development, and minority communities. Biden has relied on Harris to connect with a diverse cross-section of the Democratic base and help rebuild the coalition of voters that led to their victory in 2020. While both Biden and Harris have seen their favorability ratings decrease, they continue to engage with voters on important issues and make the case for their administration’s agenda.
The Trump campaign criticized Harris for her role at the summit, suggesting that she has failed in previous tasks and will continue to embarrass the country. Biden’s decision to skip the summit was explained by the previous meetings he had with Zelenskyy at the G7 summit and during the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France. Russia was not invited to the Swiss summit, and Putin’s proposed cease-fire in Ukraine was deemed manipulative and absurd by Ukraine. Biden has worked to bolster support for Ukraine, including signing a security agreement and providing military assistance.
Biden announced a series of measures aimed at further bolstering Ukraine, including a $50 billion loan package from G7 leaders and a security agreement committing the U.S. to training Ukrainian armed forces, cooperation in weapon production, and intelligence sharing over the next decade. The U.S. has also approved sending Ukraine a Patriot missile system and eased restrictions on the use of American weaponry for defensive purposes. These efforts reflect the ongoing U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and working towards a just and lasting peace in the region.
