The start of a Russian military offensive against Ukraine on Thursday caused a chain of reactions in the world. These are some of them.
Ukraine
“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under attack. It is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and win. The world can and must stop Putin. Now is the time to act,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.
United States
US President Joe Biden denounced Russia’s “unjustified attack” on Ukraine.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden said in a statement.
“Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction that this attack will cause,” Biden insisted, after assuring that “the world will hold Russia responsible.”
(Also read: These are the areas of Ukraine where explosions have been reported)
Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way.
The world will hold Russia accountable.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022
UN
The Russian offensive “must stop now,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres implored after an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
“President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring the troops back to Russia,” said Guterres, after stating that this is “the saddest day” he has had at the head of the UN.
European Union
“We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine. In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” said the President of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen.
We will not let President Putin tear down Europe’s security architecture.
He should not underestimate the resolve and strength of our democracies.
The European Union stands with Ukraine and its people.
Ukraine will prevail.
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2022
France
“Russia chose war. France condemns in the strongest terms the launch of these operations,” denounced the French ambassador to the UN, Nicolas de Rivière.
(You may be interested in: ‘Putin chose a premeditated war that will bring catastrophic losses’: Biden)
Germany
The Russian military operation is “a flagrant violation” of international law, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the “horrendous events in Ukraine” and said Putin “chose the path of bloodshed and destruction by launching an unprovoked attack.”
I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The UK and our allies will respond decisively.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2022
NATO
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg denounced Russia’s “irresponsible and unprovoked attack” on Ukraine, warning that it put “countless lives at risk.”
(Read on: Trump Says Ukraine Invasion Would Not Have Happened Under His Administration)
“I strongly condemn Russia’s unprovoked and irresponsible attack on Ukraine, which puts countless civilian lives at risk. Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression. against an independent and sovereign country,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.
He assured that “NATO will do everything necessary to protect and defend all its allies”
Italy
The head of the Italian government, Mario Draghi, described the Russian attack on Ukraine as “unjust and unjustifiable” and guaranteed that the European Union (EU) and NATO will work to provide an immediate response.
“The Italian government condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine. It is unjust and unjustifiable. Italy stands by the Ukrainian people and institutions at this dramatic moment,” Draghi said in a statement.
AFP
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