US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern ... [+]
Messaging is important in a crisis. So is consistency in delivering those messages.
The escalating situation in Ukraine is no exception.
In a speech today at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Vice President Kamala Harris underscored key points that President Joe Biden made in his remarks at the White House on Friday and emphasized the important role that NATO has played and will continue to play in the days ahead.
In the excerpts below from a White House transcript of her remarks, I’ve inserted subheads to emphasize the techniques Harris used to help make her points and deliver her messages.
Explain What Is At Stake
Today, as we are all well aware, the foundation of European security is under direct threat in Ukraine.
Put Things In Perspective
Let us remember: From the wreckage of two world wars, a consensus emerged in Europe and the United States. A consensus in favor of order, not chaos; security, not conflict.
So by forging relationships and bonds, forging organizations and institutions, laws and treaties, we, together, established a set of rules, norms that have governed ever since.
And Europe has enjoyed unprecedented peace, security, and prosperity through a commitment to a set of defining principles.
Reaffirm Commitments
The United States is equally committed to these principles: that people have a right to choose their own form of government; that nations have a right to choose their own alliances; that there are inalienable rights which governments must protect; that the rule of law should be cherished; that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected; and that national borders should not be changed by force.
We are here in Munich, together, to reaffirm our commitment to these principles. These principles have brought us peace and security. The backbone of this, of course, is NATO — the greatest military alliance the world has ever seen.
As a defensive alliance, we have deterred acts of aggression against NATO territory for the past 75 years. And today, let me be clear: America’s commitment to Article 5 is ironclad. This commitment is sacrosanct to me, to President Biden, and to our entire nation.
Bipartisan Support
In fact, I am joined here in Munich by a bipartisan delegation from the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. They are Democrats and Republicans. They have a wide range of political views. But they stand together in recognition of the value and the importance of our NATO Alliance.
Now, even in the most difficult times for our transatlantic community and even when our system has been tried and tested, we, the United States and Europe, have come together and demonstrated our strength and our unity, just as we do today — as we stand in this decisive moment, with all eyes on Ukraine.
Point Out The Dangers
As we have said all along, there is a playbook of Russian aggression. And this playbook is too familiar to us all.
Russia will plead ignorance and innocence, it will create false pretext for invasion, and it will amass troops and firepower in plain sight.
We now receive reports of what appears to be provocations. And we see Russia spreading disinformation, lies, and propaganda.
Discuss Options
Nonetheless, in a deliberate and coordinated effort, we, together, are: one, exposing the truth and, two, speaking with a unified voice.
As President Joe Biden has made clear: The United States, our NATO Allies, and our partners have been and remain open to serious diplomacy. We have put concrete proposals on the table. We have encouraged and engaged Russia through NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United Nations, and bilateral dialogues. We have engaged in good faith.
Underscore Likely Consequences
Russia continues to claim it is ready for talks while, at the same time, it narrows the avenues for diplomacy. Their actions simply do not match their words.
And let me be clear. I can say with absolute certainty: If Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States, together with our Allies and partners, will impose significant and unprecedented economic costs.
We have worked intensively with many of you in this room to ensure we are prepared to move forward with consequences.
We have prepared, together, economic measures that will be swift, severe, and united. We will impose far-reaching financial sanctions and export controls. We will target Russia’s financial institutions and key industries. And we will target those who are complicit and those who aid and abet this unprovoked invasion.
Make no mistake: The imposition of these sweeping and coordinated measures will inflict great damage on those who must be held accountable. And we will not stop with economic measures. We will further reinforce our NATO Allies on the eastern flank.
Recap Recent Activities
In fact, together we have already taken steps to strengthen our deterrence and collective defense. We have deployed an additional 6,000 American service members to Romania, Poland, and Germany. We have put another 8,500 service members in the United States on a heightened sense of readiness.
As President Biden has said, our forces will not be deployed to fight inside Ukraine, but they will defend every inch of NATO territory.
Since Russia launched its proxy war against Ukraine nearly eight years ago, the people of Ukraine have suffered immensely: nearly 14,000 people killed, more than a million displaced, and nearly 3 million in need of aid.
The United States has provided significant support to Ukraine: security assistance, humanitarian assistance, and economic assistance. And we will continue to support the people of Ukraine.
Summarize Your Resolve
I believe it is important for us—all of us— as leaders to never forget the cost of this type of aggression on human lives and livelihoods.
So I will answer the skeptics and those seeking to test us: Today, the United States, our Allies, and our partners are closer together. Today, we are clear in our purpose. And today, we are even more confident in our vision.
Our strength must not be underestimated, because, after all, it lies in our unity. And as we have always shown, it takes a lot more strength to build something up than it takes to tear something down.
