Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign spokesman Ian Sams on Tuesday sidestepped queries from CNN anchor Kate Bolduan about Harris’ stance on Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
During a Monday interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Harris deferred on whether she supports Ukraine joining NATO, saying she would address the issue later. Sams, on “CNN News Central,” did not confirm if Harris backs Ukraine’s membership or indicate when she would clarify her position despite Bolduan’s repeated questions. (RELATED: Harris Fails To Explain Flip-Flops, Says She Has No Regrets About Biden In First Interview)
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“In the ’60 Minutes’ interview, the vice president was asked about Ukraine. Asked specifically if she would support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO … She did not answer the question about Ukraine‘s NATO membership,” Bolduan said. “Does the vice president support Ukraine’s push to join NATO eventually?”
“I think that what the vice president was saying last night is true, which is right now, in this very moment, the most important thing that the United States and the international community can be doing is supporting Ukraine against this invasion from [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his war of aggression that has been brutal and slaughtered so many people in Ukraine, and she is committed to doing that,” Sams answered. “I think that what she was saying last night is that, like there will be a time and place for discussions like that. Right now, the most important thing is that the international community rally around Ukraine.”
Sams then pivoted to discuss former President Donald Trump’s relationship with Putin and alleged “Trump’s plan with Ukraine and Russia would be for Ukraine to surrender and to let Vladimir Putin take territory that he is trying to steal.”
The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted over two years, with the Biden-Harris administration devoting more than $175 billion in economic and military aid to assist Ukraine. President Joe Biden told CNN in July that Ukraine joining NATO would be premature.
Bolduan noted Trump and Harris “clearly have a different position on how they approach Russia” before pressing Sams on Harris’ stance again.
“The former Secretary-General of NATO, he has even said that it’s a question of when, not if Ukraine will join the NATO alliance. Does Kamala Harris agree with that?” she asked.
Sams repeated Harris’ “60 Minutes” answer and took aim at Trump again rather than answering the question.
“When is the right time for her to answer that question then, Ian?” Bolduan asked, which Sams ignored, instead focusing on Trump and Putin again.
“When’s the right time for the vice president to make her position known on if Ukraine should — if she would support Ukraine — joining NATO?” Bolduan asked again, with Sams dodging once more before the CNN anchor moved to another topic.
Sams in September also repeatedly avoided answering CNN anchor Pamela Brown’s questions regarding whether Harris believes Americans are presently doing “better” than they were four years ago.
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