The incident occurred when Harris was talking alongside Polish President Andrzej Duda at a press convention in Warsaw, the place she was demonstrating US assist for NATO’s japanese allies. “Is the USA prepared to make a particular allocation for Ukrainian refugees?” a journalist is heard asking Harris. “And for President Duda, I wished to know in the event you assume and in the event you requested the USA to particularly settle for extra refugees,” she continued.

Earlier than responding to the query, the 2 leaders had been heard breaking out into laughter. “Okay. A good friend in want is a good friend certainly,” Harris stated from the rostrum whereas laughing aloud.

After the leaders awkwardly laughed, they resumed answering the query. Duda confirmed that he had requested Harris to assist pace up the consular course of so Ukrainian refugees with household within the US may stick with them.

Harris stated they’ve mentioned the matter recognising the burden positioned on Poland by the “unprecedented” movement of refugees – however stopped in need of saying whether or not the US was dedicated to taking in a sure quantity.

Greater than their reply, it was their laughter that caught the eye of everybody together with Republicans. Whereas a number of Twitter customers termed it “shameful”, others defended her saying the 2 leaders weren’t laughing on the refugees.

Kamala Harris has been very constant throughout her stay remarks with Poland’s chief. She is awkwardly laughing. Once more.

— George Papadopoulos (@GeorgePapa19) March 10, 2022

Kamala Harris’ lack of preparation for high-level discussions is alarming. https://t.co/BXx3yQOixQ

— Dan Okay. Eberhart (@DanKEberhart) March 10, 2022

Nothing about any of that is humorous. https://t.co/2AFDgQFTLo

— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) March 10, 2022

As a result of our legislators don’t know what they’re doing in Europe proper now.

She appeared to him so she may keep away from answering a query that she will’t reply. As at all times. https://t.co/F6VWxOG8bc

— Celine Boumitry (@CBoumitry) March 11, 2022

Lives are at stake and US VP at all times finds probably the most inopportune time to snigger. 😒 https://t.co/xHxeFnjerX

— The whole lot Issues (@it_matters_2_me) March 11, 2022

[huh? Laughing? I suppose it is a nervous laugh…but really..] Kamala Harris Laughs When Requested About Ukrainian Refugee Disaster https://t.co/9Mpti3WWjU by way of @YouTube

— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) March 10, 2022

WTH is @KamalaHarris laughing at? The reporter is asking about serving to Ukrainian refugees and Harris burst out cackling. Good grief! https://t.co/6WdjfaxQt2

— Karlene Nation (@OneNationK) March 10, 2022

Please cease laughing throughout inappropriate moments @KamalaHarris @vp . It makes you and our nation look silly. https://t.co/hSotHRHyYU

— Kat (@Kats_Musings) March 10, 2022

Ukrainians are dying due to failed @POTUS management, and @VP is laughing. Shameful! #uspoli #StandWithUkraine #RussianWarCrimes https://t.co/0lsWToWQEY

— Sami Parvez (@BalochSami) March 10, 2022

There’s some context lacking right here. quarter-hour earlier than this clip, the Poland pres used the “good friend in want is a good friend certainly” line, inflicting everybody to chuckle. VP Harris’s remark was a callback to that. You possibly can nonetheless argue she ought to’ve been extra somber, however that’s the context. https://t.co/0cCIGKnWF4 pic.twitter.com/BI0CfhslI9

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2022

Nobody is, they each laughed on the awkwardness of the language barrier and who ought to reply and the way. It’s like strolling down a corridor and determining which method one another are going to stroll whereas a conflict is occurring. Nobody laughed on the conflict. Something to make an issue, huh? 🙄

— Fill it n’ Spill it! (@AndrewPitzell) March 10, 2022

No shock: however that is wildly out of context. I used to be within the room. The @VP and President had been laughing about who would converse first amidst simultaneous translations – they had been actually not laughing about refugees. (1/3) https://t.co/n3XRIOJKBZ

— Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) March 10, 2022

So did the polish spokesman! Why didn’t you name each out.

— Monique MacDonald (@memac_donald) March 10, 2022

Throughout her journey, Harris may also meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who’s in Europe this week to satisfy Ukraine allies. Harris will journey on Friday to Bucharest, the place she’s to satisfy Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

As Russia invaded Ukraine final month, it led to the fastest-growing refugee disaster in Europe since World Conflict II, in response to UNHCR. Practically 2 million individuals have fled the nation – largely girls and youngsters – as males have been barred from leaving the nation to defend the war-torn nation.