The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been a major topic of discussion at the Munich Security Conference this year. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to speak at the conference and is expected to address the situation in Ukraine.

The conflict between the two countries has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Since then, Russia has maintained a military presence in the region and has been accused of backing separatists in Ukraine’s east.

On February 17, 2023, the Ukrainian government released a statement saying that they had observed a “significant increase” in Russian military activity in the region. The statement also said that the Ukrainian government is “prepared to respond to any aggression.”

Western allies have reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine in the wake of the increased tensions. In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance was “united in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Vice President Harris is expected to echo Stoltenberg’s remarks and reiterate the United States’ commitment to standing with Ukraine. She is also expected to call for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and urge all parties to come to the negotiating table.

The situation in Ukraine is a reminder that the West must be prepared for a long-term conflict. As the Ukrainian government has said, they are ready to respond to any aggression and will not back down in the face of Russian aggression.

For more information on the Russia-Ukraine war and the latest updates, view the full coverage on USNN.