This is how politicians reacted to Russia’s attack

New York, Dusseldorf Top politicians around the world have strongly condemned Russia’s order for a military operation in Ukraine. In a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday morning, US President Joe Biden spoke of an “unprovoked and unjustified” attack by Moscow.

He had just informed him about the further planned measures against Russia by the USA and the western allies, including “tough sanctions”, Biden explained.

He will also discuss this this Thursday with his counterparts from the group of the seven most important economic nations, said Biden. Zelensky asked him to urge state leaders to speak out against Putin’s “shameless aggression and stand by the Ukrainian people,” Biden said. “We will continue to provide assistance and support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” Biden said.

Biden had previously condemned the “war” that Russia “deliberately” started and announced further sanctions. The US and its allies are determined to “hold Russia accountable,” he said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was quoted as saying: “The Secretary of Defense and I spoke to (NATO Secretary General) Jens Stoltenberg. We condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and discussed the Alliance’s coordinated response. We stand united in our response to Russia’s actions and strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.”

NATO announces meetings

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “I strongly condemn Russia’s ruthless attack on Ukraine, which is endangering the lives of countless civilians.” This is a serious violation of international law and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. “NATO allies will meet to discuss Russia’s renewed aggression.”

Scholz: “Terrible day for Ukraine”

According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the attack is “a blatant breach of international law”. Nothing can justify him. “Germany condemns this ruthless act by President Putin in the strongest possible terms,” ​​said Scholz in a first reaction, which was disseminated by the Federal Press Office.

Germany’s solidarity applies to Ukraine and its people. “Russia must stop this military action immediately,” demanded Scholz. “This is a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe,” said Scholz.

According to Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), Russia is breaking “with the most elementary rules of the international order” with the attack on Ukraine. “The world community will not forget Russia on this day of shame.”

Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht called on Putin to withdraw troops. “I appeal to President Putin: withdraw your troops immediately,” Lambrecht said. “We stretched out our hand to Russia for negotiations and he refused it.” But it is never too late for dialogue. “Nevertheless, Moscow should not be mistaken: NATO and the EU stand together and we stand up for each other,” said Lambrecht.

For Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens), this day is “a turning point for Europe and the world”. This deliberately engineered Russian aggression will bring suffering to many people. “All strength and solidarity goes to the Ukrainian population,” said Habeck. “For Russia, this attack will have serious political and economic consequences.”

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner also announced a harsh reaction from the West against Russia. The attack on Ukraine was “a nightmare,” tweeted the FDP leader. “Putin exposed himself as a liar.”

EU Commission wants to hold Russia accountable

EU leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen threatened Russia with further sanctions. “We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine,” wrote the head of the Council and the President of the Commission on Twitter. Her thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who fear for their lives in these dark hours.

At the same time, they announced: “We will hold the Kremlin accountable for this.” Shortly after the tweet, they announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, which the EU states are to adopt. The EU will continue to provide political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Johnson: “Putin has chosen the path of destruction”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also expressed dismay at the Russian attack. “I am appalled by the terrible events in Ukraine,” he wrote on Twitter on Thursday. He spoke to the Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss the next steps.

“With this unprovoked attack on Ukraine, President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction,” he added. “The UK and our allies will respond with determination,” Johnson said.

Morawiecki: “Support for Ukraine must be real”

Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called for a quick and decisive response. “We must respond immediately to Russia’s criminal aggression against Ukraine,” he wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

“Europe and the free world must stop Putin,” he added. The EU must adopt the toughest possible sanctions. “Our support for Ukraine must be genuine,” he added.

Italy announces decisive reaction

The Italian government “condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said in a statement. He was “unjustified and unjustifiable”. Italy is close to the Ukrainian people and their institutions in “this dramatic moment”. You are now working with the European and NATO allies to “react immediately, united and decisively”.

Estonia itself does not expect a direct military threat

Estonia’s President Alar Karis was “deeply shocked and disappointed”: “Once again, President Putin has chosen the path of war.” Russia’s renewed offensive is a “declaration of war on all democratic nations and on the existing security order.”

Moscow has shown itself to be completely unconcerned about the lives of the Ukrainian people and its own Russian citizens. “The Russian leadership’s absurd pretexts for attacking Ukraine are false, unfounded and criminal. They were invented so that President Putin could justify aggression against a nation that has never threatened Russia,” Karis stressed.

The head of state of the Baltic EU and NATO country assured Kiev full support. At the same time, he called on the EU and NATO to react unanimously and decisively: “Now that the masks have come off, the answer of the democratic nations can only be: to stop Russia. This means even tougher sanctions – both politically and economically,” Karis demanded in his statement.

“The events in Ukraine will undoubtedly affect us, but there is no direct military threat to Estonia,” Karis wrote to his 1.2 million compatriots. However, the country bordering Russia must be prepared for cyber attacks, as well as for taking in refugees from Ukraine.

Portugal wants to convene emergency meeting of the National Defense Council

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said: “I strongly condemn the Russian military action against Ukraine. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people at this unjustified and regrettable attack.” Portugal will convene an emergency meeting of the National Defense Council on Thursday.

Romania announced strong response

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis wrote on Twitter: “I strongly condemn Russia’s military aggression on behalf of the Romanian people. It’s another serious breach of international law. The international community will respond with the strongest possible reactions.” This will be associated with “massive costs”.

With agency material

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