VP Kamala Harris explains how US could pay if Russia invades Ukraine

Vice President of the US, Kamala Harris, acknowledged that US gas prices could rise more if Russia invades Ukraine, Newsweek reported. 

Her comments were made during the Munich Security Conference, which took place in Germany and was also attended by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There, Harris took the opportunity to urge American allies that the threat of Russia invading Ukraine is dire, and also said the response should be unified in the event of the invasion going forward, as per Newsweek. 

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Harris spoke to the press, saying that a fallout from Russia invading Ukraine is unavoidable, according to Newsweek. At the same time, Harris noted that with the subsequent sanctions, there’d be some rising energy costs. Gas prices are among them, and US customers would have to bear the brunt. 

The American VP said, as reported by Newsweek, “When America stands for principles, and all of the things that we hold dear, it requires sometimes for us to put ourselves out there in a way that maybe we will incur some cost. In this situation, that may relate to energy costs.”

She also reportedly assured that the US government was taking all proper steps to ensure the nation’s preparedness for the economic costs if Russia invades Ukraine. 

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Notably, Harris kept to the same promises put forth by US President Joe Biden, saying that the US would impose severe sanctions on Russia if they invade Ukraine. He urged other NATO countries to do the same. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president said that such sanctions should be imposed ahead of an actual invasion. 

Also Read | Ukraine president wants security guarantees amid threat of Russian invasion

The situation at Ukraine’s border has become tense with Russian troop buildup. However, the Vladimir Putin-led government has denied any intentions to invade. Russia has stood firm in its demand that Ukraine’s entry into NATO is blocked by the existing members, and they reduce their military presence in eastern Europe.