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The first trip to the Munich Security Conference for U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., has been an eventful one. She was among the people in the audience in Germany on Saturday for Vice President Kamala Harris's speech on Ukraine. McCollum is part of a congressional delegation to the Munich Security Conference, where the tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been at the top of the agenda. 

“We hope diplomacy works. We spoke with Secretary Blinken yesterday. He has not given up. He's not going to give up on diplomacy until Putin says he's done talking,” McCollum said. “But we have the solidarity here for severe sanctions. And these sanctions are going to radically affect the Russian economy.”

McCollum said there could be a range of outcomes and sanctions, depending on Russia’s next moves. In her speech, Harris said sanctions could potentially target Russia's financial institutions and key industries.

The group also heard from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“It was heartbreaking listening to the mayor of Kyiv. People are ready to defend their country and with any means necessary,” McCollum said. “He's very worried about his population.”

McCollum is chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The delegation of House Democrats is being led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., was also in Munich for the conference. She appeared on a panel with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. 

“I look to the fact that this coalition must stay strong and we must remember that what unites us is much stronger than what divides us. And that's where we're coming from today,” Klobuchar said during the discussion. 

Several other U.S. lawmakers made the trip Munich, something Klobuchar said highlights the bipartisan resolve to stand up for democracy. 

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Samuel King

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U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum is in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. The conference has featured high-level talks with key U.S. and other officials about the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. 

McCollum among U.S. lawmakers in Germany for high-stakes conference

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