Europe 1 with AFP
modified to
7:13 a.m., February 24, 2022
After the Russian military operation in several cities in Ukraine on Thursday morning, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel denounced this attack and pledged to ask Moscow to “return accounts”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday denounced Russia’s attack on Ukraine and pledged to hold Moscow “to account”. “We strongly condemn Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine. In these dark times, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.” , they both wrote on Twitter. “We will hold the Kremlin to account.”
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 as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.
We will hold the Kremlin accountable.
—Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2022
Other sanctions expected?
The leaders of the Twenty-Seven are due to meet for a summit on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT) in Brussels as the EU warned that “massive” sanctions against Moscow would be taken in the event of an attack on Ukraine. The first EU sanctions came into force on Wednesday evening against Moscow in response to Monday’s recognition of the independence of separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.
They strike a total of 23 “leading figures”, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian military leaders (air, land, sea), as well as three banks, a company and 351 members of the Duma for their involvement in this recognition. The European measures consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze in the EU.