Munich Security Conference: Kamala Harris appeals to NATO

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Munich shows its best side. Blue sky, bright sun: the first signs of spring welcome the VIPs of world politics at the Munich Security Conference on Friday. The desire for thaw is great. Too many people are dying in Ukraine, in Gaza, in Africa. But instead of glimmers of hope, there is bloody news.

“Russia is responsible for Navalny’s death”

The news of the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny (†47) is causing outrage. “Whatever Moscow says: Russia is responsible,” emphasizes US Vice President Kamala Harris (59).

Julija Navalnaya (47) then takes the stage. With a shaking voice but determined seriousness, the widow says: “Putin is lying. Putin will not go unpunished. He will have to pay and be held liable. And that day will come soon.” She calls on the international community to “fight this terrible regime. Putin must be held personally responsible for all the atrocities he has committed.” The audience thanks Julija Navalnaya with a standing ovation, a small consolation that can hardly ease the pain of her husband’s death.

Terrorist attack in Israel – two dead

There is also horror news from other parts of the world. Hamas is still holding more than 130 hostages. There was another terrorist attack on Friday: in southern Israel, Hamas killed two Israelis at a bus station and injured four more people.

There is also no peace in sight in Ukraine and Yemen. Meanwhile, the US vice president is trying to dispel doubts about America’s leadership role. The American Republicans in particular are opposed to the billions in payments to Ukraine. Presidential candidate Donald Trump claims he can end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. Observers expect that Trump would be willing to compromise with Putin and sacrifice parts of Ukraine.

Clear commitment to NATO

Kamala Harris demonstratively calls for solidarity with Ukraine and makes a NATO commitment: “We will supply Ukraine with weapons. A failure would be a gift for Putin. NATO is crucial to our global security. An attack on one NATO member is an attack on all members.”

The only Swiss woman who has something to say at the security conference is Mirjana Spoljaric Egger (52). The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is under pressure: she has to make huge cuts and has cut thousands of jobs. There is also criticism from parties to the conflict that the ICRC does not act neutrally. Israel is disappointed that the ICRC is not releasing more hostages. Ukraine, in turn, suspects that the Red Cross is too understanding towards Moscow. In Munich, Spoljaric Egger referred several times to the neutrality of the Red Cross and international humanitarian law. Big words that are barely heard due to all the sabre-rattling around the world.

Swiss peace initiative no problem

There is a great longing for the Munich Spring, but it is not yet in sight. On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (46) addressed the world audience. But he too is more likely to utter slogans of perseverance than hope for peace.

The Swiss plan to organize a peace conference for Ukraine in Geneva has so far played no role in Munich. Federal President Viola Amherd (61) and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (62) promoted this at the World Economic Forum in Davos. But here too there is no breakthrough.

Peace summit planned for the first half of 2024

Only so much was learned from Federal Council circles: Bern is doing everything it can to hold the conference in the first half of 2024. Instead of a spring in Munich, there would ideally be a summer in Geneva; however, a summer fairy tale is considered unlikely. Because Russia still refuses to start peace negotiations. China, Brazil, South Africa and India have not yet shown any interest in the Swiss peace initiative. And the US views Bern’s approach as premature. Much remains to be done.

Source: Blick