Kamala Harris was forced to fly a military cargo plane home to the nation’s capital Saturday after Air Force Two broke down on the tarmac in Munich, Germany. Harris spoke to the Munich Security Conference earlier in the day where she announced the U.S. has “formally determined” that Russia has committed “crimes against humanity” in its conduct of the war on Ukraine.
Bloomberg’s Jennifer Jacobs posted to Twitter: “The @VP’s blue-and-white plane is broken down. Kamala Harris will be flying back to the US from Germany on the C-17 support plane.”
VP is wheels up after Munich Security Conference. Didn’t take questions from reporters on tarmac pic.twitter.com/0HSYApG9Fu
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 18, 2023
A White House official blamed “maintenance difficulties”, “NEW: Air Force Two having “maintenance difficulties” so @VP will depart Munich to Washington DC on a back up aircraft, per @WhiteHouse official.
NEW: Air Force Two having “maintenance difficulties” so @VP will depart Munich to Washington DC on a back up aircraft, per @WhiteHouse official.#MSC2023 Via pooler @yu_yarmolenko @VOANews @holosameryky
— Patsy Widakuswara (@pwidakuswara) February 18, 2023
Harris speaking at the conference: “In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, We have examined the evidence. We know the legal standards and there is no doubt…The United States has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity.”
.@VP: “In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, We have examined the evidence. We know the legal standards and there is no doubt…The United States has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity.” pic.twitter.com/uL5fdkJje8
— Kirsten Allen (@KirstenAllen46) February 18, 2023
Video:
News: US has formally determined Russia committed “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine, @VP Kamala Harris says at Munich Security Conference. “To all those who have perpetrated these crimes—and to their superiors who are complicit in those crimes—you will be held to account.” pic.twitter.com/cffpr5J0yx
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 18, 2023
One wonders if the Afghan people have any advice for Ukraine about relying on the word of the Biden-Harris administration when they say, “The United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will always stand on the side of freedom, democracy, and justice.”
The United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will always stand on the side of freedom, democracy, and justice. pic.twitter.com/fo8mFvKxao
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) February 18, 2023
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) attended the speech and was impressed, “Privileged to hear @VP give a strong speech at #MSC2023 demanding accountability for the unprovoked and unconscionable attack on Ukraine. #NATO is more United than ever against totalitarianism.”
Privileged to hear @VP give a strong speech at #MSC2023 demanding accountability for the unprovoked and unconscionable attack on Ukraine. #NATO is more United than ever against totalitarianism. pic.twitter.com/IYZh50UzNC
— Jim Himes 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@jahimes) February 18, 2023
Independent reporter Michael Tracy noted the extra protection Harris was given from journalists in Munich.
No special security protocol for Rishi Sunak traversing around Munich, but they aggressively shut down the entire perimeter for Kamala to walk like 10 paces pic.twitter.com/c8ohWw7cKZ
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 18, 2023
Well, god forbid journalists get a word in with Kamala Harris. Security at Munich conference mobilizes into special formation as she traverses press area, ensuring she’s not subject to any un-choreographed interactions. Muscular PR assistance afforded only to US officials here pic.twitter.com/d2i2PmZkxb
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 18, 2023