US accuses Russia of committing ‘crimes against humanity’ in Ukraine and Moldova
The United States has formally accused Russia of committing
crimes against humanity in Ukraine, according to vice-president Kamala Harris.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Harris stated that the evidence had
been examined, and there was no doubt that the acts committed by Russia
constituted crimes against humanity. She further vowed to hold the perpetrators
and their superiors to account.
The accusations have been met with support from other world
leaders. UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said that “winning the peace” would
require holding Russia accountable for its actions, which would involve seeking
justice through the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, Moldovan president
Maia Sandu stated that Russia was waging “hybrid warfare” against her country,
with the aim of destabilising society and changing the government to create a
pro-Russian regime.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has also expressed his
concern about Russia’s actions in Moldova, where Moscow is allegedly plotting
to destabilise the government. Blinken met with Sandu in Munich, where he
pledged the US’s support for the country’s independence, territorial integrity,
and security. The US is not the only country concerned about Russia’s actions
in Moldova, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy claiming that his
country had intercepted plans by Russian intelligence to “break the democracy
of Moldova and establish control over Moldova”.
Moldova has been affected by the conflict in neighbouring
Ukraine, with an influx of refugees, the severing of gas and electricity
supplies, and a collapse in foreign trade. Moldovan officials claim that
subversive activities aimed at undermining the country have been identified,
while Russia has denied any involvement.
The accusations have dominated the Munich Security
Conference, with foreign policy, defence, and intelligence officials from the
West meeting to discuss the situation. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
warned that Putin was planning for more war and that the security threat posed
by Russian aggression was global, not just regional.
The situation is still developing, and the accusations made
against Russia are likely to lead to increased tensions between the US and
Russia, as well as other countries affected by Russia’s actions. The world will
be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and whether Russia will be
held accountable for its alleged crimes.
