Ukraine: Kamala Harris says war in Europe a 'real possibility'

Speaking to journalists at the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, Harris said that a diplomatic end to the situation was still what allies hoped for, but warned that sanctions against Russia could still be imposed.

It comes after a tense week where Moscow claimed that troops on the border with Ukraine had been sent back to their bases - while Nato claimed they had seen no evidence of a withdrawal.

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On Friday, a car exploded in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine with separatist leaders who back the Putin administration calling for a mass evacuation of civilians to Russia.

This is thought to be a “false flag” attack which intelligence operatives and Ukraine have been warning about for weeks.

Last week also saw a cyber attack on Ukrainian banks and financial institutions, which the UK Government attributed to the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).

And now, the US vice-president has warned that Russia’s reluctance to back down is bringing Europe close to the brink of war.

Harris said that the US hopes financial sanctions will deter Putin

Asked what the US’s “end game” is and how the country could “disentangle” itself from the conflict with Russia, she told reporters: “I would characterise it differently.

"We don't consider ourselves to be entangled, but we're very clear of our principles and our purpose, which is to be aligned with our allies, understanding that, I mean, listen, guys, we're talking about the potential for war in Europe.

“And let's really take a moment to understand the significance of what we're talking about. It's been over 70 years, and through those 70 years, as I mentioned yesterday, there has been peace and security.

“We are talking about the real possibility of war in Europe.

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“So our position is for us very clear, which is as a leader, which we have been, bringing together to the Allies, working together around our collective and unified position that we would all not just prefer, we desire, we believe, it is in the best interest of all that there is a diplomatic end to this moment.

“And so where do we want this to end? That is where we want it to end.”

Harris has said that sanctions - “some of the strongest” the US will ever put in place - are still on the table if Russia does not back down.

Asked why the US aren’t putting sanctions in place now, she told journalists: “The purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrent, but let's also recognise the unique nature of the sanctions that we have outlined.

“These are some of the greatest sanctions, if not the strongest that we've ever issued.

"As I articulated yesterday it is directed at institutions in particular financial institutions, and individuals and it will exact absolute harm for the Russian economy and their government.”

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Asked if she believes sanctions will be a successful deterrent against Putin, Harris said: “Absolutely, strongly believe, and remember also that the sanctions are a product not only of our perspective as the United States, but a shared perspective among our allies, and the Allied relationship is such that we have agreed that the deterrence effect of these sanctions is still a meaningful one.

“Especially because remember also, we still sincerely hope that there is a diplomatic path out of this moment, and within the context then of the fact that that window is still open, although it is absolutely narrowing, but within the context of a diplomatic path still being open.

"The deterrence effect we believe has merit.”