How world leaders are reacting to Russia’s assault on Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin defies West and launches a military assault on Ukraine
- Western leaders condemn Russia’s actions, warn of consequences
Here are some reactions to the Russian operation:
He warned “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring”.
“The world will hold Russia accountable,” he added.
Timeline: Russia’s stand-off with Ukraine
“I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelensky to discuss next steps,” the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted.
“In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” wrote EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel on Twitter.
“We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”
The Nato head said Russia had “chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country”.
The attack “puts at risk countless civilian lives,” Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement, describing it as a “grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security.”
Nato ambassadors are to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday morning European time to discuss the attack.
“These unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and of Russia’s obligations under international law and the Charter of the UN,” Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.
Russian invasion of Ukraine would have dire global impact, UN warns
He said he would meet with partners from the Group of Seven to shape a collective response, “including by imposing sanctions additional to those announced earlier this week”.
“These reckless and dangerous acts will not go unpunished.”
“We must immediately respond to Russia’s criminal aggression on Ukraine Europe and the free world has to stop Putin,” Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter.
“Today’s European Council should approve fiercest possible sanctions. Our support for Ukraine must be real.”
“In the name of humanity, do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century,” he said.
“The conflict must stop now,” added the UN chief, who said it was the “saddest day” of his tenure.
During the charged UN emergency meeting, the Ukraine’s ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya implored the council, chaired by Russia to “do everything possible to stop the war”.
He demanded that Russia’s ambassador relinquish his duties as chair.
“There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, ambassador,” the visibly emotional Kyslytsya said.