United States, France, Germany… The international community unanimously denounces the military operation launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin of a “military operation” in Ukraine on Thursday, followed by explosions in several Ukrainian cities, caused many reactions in the world. Here are the main ones:
LiveUkraine: Putin announcesa military operation“, Kiev denounces a “large-scale invasion»
Ukraine
“We are building an anti-Putin coalitionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after talks with foreign leaders. “The world must compel Russia to peace“, did he declare.
SEE ALSO – Zelensky says Ukraine’s allies are setting up a “coalition» anti-Putin
United States
US President Joe Biden denounced “the unwarranted attackof Russia against Ukraine. “President Putin has chosen (to launch) a premeditated war that will cause catastrophic human suffering and lossJoe Biden said in a statement. “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will cause“, he insisted, assuring that “the world would demand accountability from Russia“.
China
Beijing refrains from condemning Moscow. The regime called on all parties involved in the situation in Ukraine to exercise restraint, while rejecting the term “invasionused by a foreign journalist. “China closely follows the latest developments“Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, modestly indicated during a daily press briefing.
China is on a diplomatic crest line on the Ukrainian file. It does not wish to oppose head-on Russia, a friendly country with which it shares certain views, such as opposition to an enlargement of NATO. But Beijing does not wish to appear as supporting an invasion of Ukraine either.
SEE ALSO – Ukraine: China says “to follow closely» the situation after the Russian military operations
France
“France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to wage war on Ukraine“, said Thursday Emmanuel Macron, calling on Moscow to”immediately end its military operations“.
“France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with the Ukrainians and works with its partners and allies to end the war“added the head of state in two tweets.
UN
The conflict triggered by Russia in Ukraine “must stop nowimplored UN Secretary General 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 Security Council session. “This is the saddest moment of my tenure as Secretary General of the United Nations“, he added.
SEE ALSO – “In the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia”: Tensions rise at the UN after military operations against Ukraine
NATO
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday condemned the “reckless and unprovoked attackof Russia against Ukraine, warning that it jeopardized “countless» Lives.
“I strongly condemn Russia’s reckless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which endangers countless civilian lives. Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless diplomatic efforts, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country“said Jens Stoltenberg in a statement.
“NATO Allies will come together to deal with the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions. We stand with the Ukrainian people at this terrible time. NATO will do whatever it takes to protect and defend all allies“, he added.
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European Union
The European Union on Thursday condemned the behaviorintolerableof Russia and warned that the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin would have to faceunprecedented isolation», in the words of Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy, pointing out that the Twenty-Seven were preparing a new set of sanctions which is the «toughest ever implemented“. An exceptional EU summit was convened Thursday evening in Brussels.
Earlier in the morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel said in a joint reaction that “new restrictive measureswill be taken withmassive and severe consequences on Russia for its action, in close coordination with our transatlantic partners“.
SEE ALSO – Ukraine: Russia risks “unprecedented isolation”, according to the EU
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe, distinct from the European Union for the defense of human rights and democracy, “strongly condemns the Russian military attack“. In a press release signed by its secretary general Marija Pejcinovic Buric, the pan-European organization, which brings together 47 member states including Russia and Ukraine, announced that it would take “quickly the necessary measures to respond to the current situation“, denouncing a”flagrant violation of the statute of the Council of Europe and of the European Convention on Human Rights“.
Germany
“Germany strongly condemns this unscrupulous act by President (Vladimir) Putinsaid Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose country currently chairs the G7 forum. It’s about “a terrible day for Ukraine” and “darkfor the whole of Europe, added Olaf Scholz.
“This attack will have serious political and economic consequences for Russia.“, threatened in parallel his vice-chancellor and Minister of the Economy, Robert Habeck, in a press release.
UK
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday condemned the “horrible events in Ukraine“, believing that Russian President Vladimir Putin”chose the path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack“.
He has been chairing a crisis meeting since 7:30 a.m. (local time) to decide on the “responseto make, Downing Street said. According to British media, he will then speak before Parliament.
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called the Russian attack on Ukraine “aunjustified and unjustifiable“Assuring that the European Union and NATO were working on an immediate response.
Japan
The Russian attack in Ukraineshakes the foundations of the international order“, denounced the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the “illegal invasionof Ukraine by Russia by announcing sanctions against four financial institutions and 25 people belonging to entities in charge of the development and sale of military technologies and weapons.
Spain
“The Government of Spain condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Ukraine“, tweeted the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez. He will attend the Extraordinary European Summit in Brussels on Thursday afternoon.
Nordic countries
Finland and Sweden, non-NATO members, on Thursday condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, denouncing separately “an attack on the European security order“. In Helsinki, southern Finland, an emergency meeting was called between President Sauli Niinistö, a regular interlocutor of Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
For its part, Norway, a member of the Atlantic Alliance, condemned a “serious violation of international lawand announced the move of its embassy from Kiev to Lviv, in the west of the country. “Norway stands with allies and Europeans at this serious moment in European history“, he added. Like other countries before it, the Scandinavian kingdom also announced the move “temporaryfrom Kiev to Lviv from its embassy in Ukraine.
Denmark, another member of NATO, also strongly condemned the Russian offensive.
Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday denounced “a blow to regional peace and stabilityafter the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, during a speech at the headquarters of the presidency broadcast on television.
“We reject this unacceptable operation“, continued the Head of State renewing his calls to solve the problems”through dialogue“.
Israel
The Jewish state condemned for its part a “serious breach of international ordersaid Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. Recalling the relationshipsdeepof Israel with both Ukraine and Russia, and the hundreds of thousands of its citizens living in both countries, “there is still time to stop and get back to the negotiating table“, enjoined the minister.
Moldova
Moldova on Thursday closed its airspace and Belarus part of its own due to the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine launched in the morning. “Flights will be diverted to other airportssaid Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu on Telegram instant messaging, justifying the decision with “the situation in the region“.
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