Kamala Harris says US, Poland united despite mishap on fighter jets

US Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Romania and Poland this week in the midst of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine due to Russian aggression. Despite the recent mishap surrounding sending fighter jets to Ukraine, Harris stressed that the US and Poland remain united.

Harris visited Poland this week where she met with Polish President Andrzej Duda at a time when there was a disagreement between the US and Poland regarding sending fighter planes to Ukraine. During a joint press conference with Duda, Harris stressed that Poland and the US remain united in support of Ukraine and against Russia.

“I want to be very clear. The United States and Poland are united in what we have done and are prepared to help Ukraine and the people of Ukraine, full stop,” said Harris during the press conference.

The mishap appeared to complicate the vice president’s visit, with some US officials expressing annoyance at the incident. Harris is looking to assure NATO allies that Washington is committed to protecting the eastern flank of the alliance, stressing the commitment to the security of the region by sending in two new Patriot missile systems to Poland.

The vice president also pledged more humanitarian support with $53 million in new assistance and that the US will be helping countries like Poland tackle the number of Ukrainian refugees that fled their country. Harris also met with a few people that the White House described as “displaced,” saying that the conversations they had will have an impact on policy decisions back in the US.

Harris also supported the calls for an international war crimes probe of Russia following its invasion and offensive on Ukraine. Harris condemned the recent bombing by Russians of a maternity hospital in Ukraine, noting scenes of pregnant women bloodied from the blast, including civilians that were killed.

“Absolutely there should be an investigation, and we should all be watching,” said Harris, who pointed out that the UN is already starting a process to review the allegations made against Russia. “I have no question the eyes of the world are on this war and what Russia has done in terms of this aggression and these atrocities.”