International Reactions
Zelenskyj: “This is a war of aggression!”
02/24/2022, 09:10 am
Russia is attacking Ukraine on all fronts. The international reactions to this are violent. Foreign Minister Baerbock speaks of a “day of shame”, UN Secretary-General Guterres of the “saddest moment” of his term of office. China, on the other hand, does not see a Russian invasion.
Despite protestations to the contrary, Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine this morning. Western governments condemned the attack as a violation of international law and announced further tough sanctions against Moscow. An overview:
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi declared martial law. At the same time he called for a worldwide “anti-Putin coalition”. “The world must force Russia to make peace,” said Zelenskyj after crisis calls with his western partners in the USA, the EU, Great Britain, Germany and Poland. His Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke of a “large-scale invasion”. “This is a war of aggression,” Kuleba wrote on Twitter. The world “can and must stop Putin. It’s time to act now,” he said.
USA
US President Joe Biden spoke of an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine and announced “tough sanctions” against Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has “voted a deliberate war that will result in catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will result in, and the United States and its allies and partners will act with unity and determination,” Biden said. “The world will hold Russia accountable.”
United Nations
UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke of the “saddest moment” of his tenure after learning of the Russian attack in the middle of an emergency UN Security Council meeting. He called on Putin “in the name of humanity” to bring back the Russian troops.
European Union
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned “Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine in the strongest terms”. “In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who are facing this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” she said on Twitter. She announced: “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”
NATO
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also spoke of a “ruthless and unprovoked attack” by Russia on Ukraine. This attack “endangers the lives of countless civilians”. Despite countless and unflagging diplomatic efforts, “Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country.” “We stand with the Ukrainian people at this terrible time.”
Germany
Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine “in the strongest terms”. He was “a blatant breach of international law” and “cannot be justified by anything”. In a phone call with Selenskyj, Scholz assured the Ukrainian President “Germany’s full solidarity in this difficult hour”. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke of a “day of shame”: “With the attack on Ukraine, Russia is breaking with the most elementary rules of the international order,” said Baerbock.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Moscow to “end its military operations immediately”. France “condemns Russia’s decision to wage war against Ukraine,” he said on Twitter. “France is in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands by the Ukrainians and is working with its partners and allies to end the war.”
Great Britain
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the “terrible events in Ukraine”. With the unprovoked attack, Russian President Putin “chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction.” “The UK and our allies will respond with determination,” Johnson announced on Twitter.
China
The Chinese Foreign Ministry calls on all sides to exercise restraint. It is not a Russian invasion, as is sometimes described. The legitimate security interests of all sides would be respected, it said. Developments in Ukraine are being followed very closely.