US VP Harris: Will work to ensure Russia pays damages to Ukraine

BERLIN (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration stood ready to support Ukraine in its war with Russia for "as long as it takes" and would push for Russia to pay damages to Ukraine following the end of the war.

"We will continue in our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. We will work to make sure Russia pays damages to Ukraine," she said at a joint news conference with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

Her comments come as the U.S. political world battles over how and whether to stand up to Russia, particularly after Washington has approved more than $110 billion in defence assistance for Ukraine, and Biden's request for another $60 billion for Kyiv is stalled in the U.S. Congress.

"President Biden and I will continue to work to secure the resources and weapons you need to succeed," she said. "We will be with you for as long as it takes," she added.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Writing by Maria Sheahan)