New Delhi: United States and world leaders have condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday night, and warned of heavy sanctions to come for the attack which Putin announced in a televised address Thursday morning.
Here is how some world leaders, including Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, Boris Johnson, Jens Stoltenberg, have reacted to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
United States President Joe Biden
Explosions were heard in Kyiv within 30 minutes of Putin’s announcement. United States President Joe Biden immediately warned of "consequences" for Russia and said the world would "hold Russia accountable" for its actions, according to reports. Biden said that Russia’s move would cause "catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.
In a statement issued by The White House, the President of the US said: “The prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”
Biden also said that tomorrow, he will meet with his G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. “We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine,” he further said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine:
“Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s egregious attack on Ukraine. These unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are also in violation of Russia’s obligations under international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
“Canada calls on Russia to immediately cease all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine and withdraw all military and proxy forces from the country. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected and the Ukrainian people must be free to determine their own future.
“Russia’s actions will be met with severe consequences. Tomorrow morning, I will be meeting with G7 partners, and we will continue working closely and quickly with NATO and our allies to collectively respond to these reckless and dangerous acts, including by imposing significant sanctions in addition to those already announced.
“In the face of these attacks on Ukraine, Canada will take additional action to stop Russia’s unwarranted aggression. We continue to stand with Ukraine, its people, and the Ukrainian Canadian community here in Canada. Russia’s brazen acts will not go unpunished.”
US Representative Adam Schiff
US Representative Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement:
“Over the past few months, as Russia has built a large military force on the border of Ukraine, we have sought to prevent and deter an invasion. It is clear that despite our unified efforts with our allies and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has chosen war. A massive Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun.
“As President Zelensky said this evening, the people of Ukraine want peace and the right to determine their own future. They will defend their homeland and their freedom from a foreign invader that has come to take it away.
“There can be no certainty about what will come next, but no matter what the next days and weeks bring, the United States will stand with the people of Ukraine - now and always. This begins by moving swiftly beyond the significant sanctions already announced by the Biden administration to fully cutting off Russia’s leading financial institutions from the global economy and ending Europe’s dependence on Russian oil and gas for good.”
Senator Mark Warner
Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a statement: “While there is still an opportunity for Russia to reverse course, we can no longer hold out hope that this standoff can be resolved peacefully. Therefore, we must all, on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Atlantic, work together to demonstrate to Putin that his aggression will not be allowed to go unpunished.
“What is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy not only for Ukraine, but for the Russian people as well. They will pay a steep cost for Putin’s reckless ambition, in blood and economic harm.”
Warner tweeted: “The intelligence community deserves plaudits for the precision and timeliness of the intelligence surrounding Russia’s invasion.
Thanks to the IC, the Biden admin has been able to expose Putin’s motives ahead of time for the world to see.”
Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to the UN, said in a statement:
“At the exact time as we are gathered in the Council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in total disdain for the responsibility of this Council. This is a grave emergency. The Council will need to act, and we will put a resolution on the table tomorrow.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, said in a tweet: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps. 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.”
UN Security-General Antonio Gueterres
UN Secretary-General Antonio Gueterres said in a tweet, “Under the present circumstances, I must change my appeal: President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement: “I strongly condemn Russia’s reckless attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives. This is a grave breach of international law & a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. NATO Allies will meet to address Russia’s renewed aggression.”
Dmytro Kuleba
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet, “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
Kuleba addressed Ukrainians around the globe in another tweet. He wrote: “Putin attacked, but no one is running away. Army, diplomats, everyone is working. Ukraine fights. Ukraine will defend itself. Ukraine will win. Share the truth about Putin’s invasion in your countries and call on governments to act immediately.”
Finland President Sauli Niinistö
Sauli Niinistö wrote in a tweet, “I strongly condemn the military measures Russia has started in Ukraine. Russia's acts target Ukraine, but at the same time they are an attack on the entire European security order. We feel deep compassion towards Ukraine and are seeking ways to increase our support to Ukraine.”
Sergiy Kyslytsya
Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, wrote in a Facebook post: “The Russian President declared war. On the record. Should I play the video of your President? Ambassador, shall I do it? Or will you confirm it? Do not interrupt me when I am speaking. Anyway, you declared the war. It is the responsibility of this body to stop the war. So, I call on everyone of you to do everything possible to stop the war. The war criminals don’t go to purgatory, Ambassador, they go straight to hell!”
Barbara Woodward
Barbara Woodward, Britain’s ambassador to the UN, said in a statement: “As we sat in this Chamber urging Russia to step back, President Putin announced special military operations on Ukrainian territory.
“This is unprovoked and unjustified. This is a grave day for Ukraine and for the principles of the United Nations.
We and our partners have been clear that there will be consequences for Russia’s actions. We fully support the United States call for a UN Security Council resolution. This Council must do all it can to stop war and uphold the Charter."
Senator Thom Tillis
North Carolina US Senator Thom Tillis wrote in a tweet, "God Bless Ukraine and its people.🇺🇦 Many will face unspeakable danger because of a corrupt and paranoid dictator. We must support Ukraine with financial support and military equipment and we must severely punish Putin's regime for starting war and spilling innocent blood."