WASHINGTON: World leaders on Thursday swiftly condemned Russia’s military attack on Ukraine, with Western capitals vowing to escalate sanctions against Moscow while the head of the United Nations demanded the conflict end immediately.
Key reactions:
* US President Joe Biden – “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces,” the US president said shortly after the operation began.
He warned “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring.”
“The world will hold Russia accountable,” he declared.
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – Zelensky compared Russia’s invasion of his country to Nazi Germany’s military campaigns during World War II.
“Russia has attacked Ukraine in a cowardly and suicidal way, like Nazi Germany did during World War II,” Zelensky said in an online briefing.
* UN chief Antonio Guterres – Guterres made a direct and personal plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin after an emergency Security Council session, urging him to stop the attack “in the name of humanity.”
“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.
* Nato head Jens Stoltenberg – The Atlantic alliance’s secretary general said Russia had “chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country.”
The attack “puts at risk countless civilian lives,” Stoltenberg said in a statement, describing it as a “grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security.”
Nato ambassadors were to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the attack.
* British Prime Minister Boris Johnson – “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelensky to discuss next steps,” the British leader tweeted.
“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”
* EU chiefs – “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,” European Union chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel said on Twitter. “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Russia faced “unprecedented isolation” and would be hit with the “harshest sanctions” the EU has ever imposed.
“This is not a question of blocs. This is not a question of diplomatic power games. It’s a matter of life and death. It is about the future of our global community,” he said.
* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – The German leader lashed out at an “unscrupulous act” by Putin and spoke to Zelensky to express his country’s “full solidarity.”
Putin is “endangering the lives of countless innocent people in Ukraine… (and) jeopardising peace in our continent,” Scholz said.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned the world “will not forget this day of shame.”
* French President Emmanuel Macron – “Russia must immediately put an end to its military operations,” Macron wrote on Twitter, saying Russia had made the decision to “wage war” on Ukraine.
“France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands by Ukrainians and is working with its partners and allies to end the war,” he added.
* Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – “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,” Trudeau said in a statement.
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.”
* OSCE – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), of which Russia is a member, said “this attack on Ukraine puts the lives of millions of people at grave risk and is a gross breach of international law and Russia’s commitments.”
The statement was issued by the OSCE’s current chairman, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, and the organisation’s secretary general, Helga Maria Schmid.
* China – The world’s second-biggest economy, which shares a long border with Russia, said it was monitoring the crisis and urged restraint.
“China is closely watching the latest situation, and we call on all parties to maintain restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.
* Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – “The latest Russian invasion shakes the foundation of the international order, which does not permit unilateral attempts to change the status quo,” Japan’s leader said after a meeting of his national security council.
* Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi – The leader of G7 member Italy’s government called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “unjustified and unjustifiable.”
“Italy is close to the Ukrainian people and institutions in this dramatic moment,” Draghi said in a statement.
* Turkey – Turkey, a Nato member with a history of fractious relations with Russia, said the invasion was “unjust an unlawful”.
“We consider the military operation… unacceptable and reject it,” Turkey’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced Moscow’s move as a “heavy blow” to regional peace and stability. – AFP
