The announcement of the launch by the Russian president of a “military operation”, immediately followed by explosions in several Ukrainian cities, has aroused many reactions in the world. Only the voice of China dissonates.
General outrage. While Russian ground troops entered Ukrainian territory early Thursday morning, the international community unanimously condemns Vladimir Putin’s decision to intervene militarily, which officially aims to defend the separatists. The main interested party, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he is in the process of “building an anti-Putin coalition”. “The world must compel Russia to peace”said the head of state after talks with foreign leaders.
For his part, US President Joe Biden denounced “unwarranted attack” of Russia against Ukraine. “President Putin has chosen (to launch) a premeditated war that will cause catastrophic human suffering and loss”Joe Biden said in a statement. “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will cause”insisted the American head of state, who has measured his response so far, assuring that “the world would demand accountability from Russia”.
The conflict triggered by Russia in Ukraine “must stop now”implored the secretary general of the UN, Antonio Guterres, after an emergency meeting of the Security Council. “President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia!”launched the head of the UN, visibly tested by the announcement of a Russian military operation in Ukraine in the middle of the session of the Security Council. “This is the saddest moment of my tenure as Secretary General of the United Nations”he added.
“Our thoughts are with Ukraine and its innocent women, men and children”
In Europe, the tone is serious. “We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine. In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and its innocent women, men and children who face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.”said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel in a joint text. “We will hold the Kremlin to account”they warned.
“Russian leaders will face unprecedented isolation”for his part, declared in Brussels Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy, stressing that the Twenty-Seven were preparing a new set of sanctions which is the “toughest ever implemented”.
The Russian military operation is “a glaring violation” of international law, for his part denounced the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz while the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned Thursday the “horrible events in Ukraine”believing that Russian President Vladimir Putin “chosen the path of bloodshed and destruction in launching this unprovoked attack”.
Finland and Sweden, non-NATO members, condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, denouncing separately “an attack on the European security order”.
China ‘close behind’
In the rest of the world too, the condemnation is almost unanimous. The Russian attack on Ukraine “shakes the foundations of the international order”Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday. “We strongly condemn Russia. We will coordinate efforts with the international community, including the United States, and react quickly.” in the face of this situation, Fumio Kishida added to the press after a meeting of a national security council.
Australia announced on Thursday a “second series” sanctions against Russia after its attack on Ukraine, paving the way for many countries to take further action against Moscow. Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the“illegal invasion” of Russia by announcing sanctions against four financial institutions and 25 people belonging to four entities responsible for the development and sale of military technologies and weapons.
As a stain in this landscape of indignation, China soberly indicated that it “followed close” the situation in Ukraine, refraining from condemning Moscow and contenting itself with calling for an escalation to be avoided. “We urge all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control”told the press a spokesperson for Chinese diplomacy, Hua Chunying, without condemning Russia.