Reactions of world leaders and politicians have poured in following Russia’s declaration of war on the Ukraine early morning on Moscow television.
Some have said they were ‘appalled’ by Vladimir Putin’s attack, while others expressed support for the Ukraine.
Shortly after new broke of the invasion, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: ‘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,’ he added.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was ‘appalled’ by Vladimir Putin’s attack
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his support for the Ukraine on Wednesday night
‘To the Ukrainian people, to President Zelensky, this evening, I reiterate our support, our attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,’ French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in French on Wednesday night.
‘In economic and financial matters, in terms of defensive equipment, France will continue to provide its support,’ he added.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday morning condemned Russia’s attack as an ‘unjustified and flagrant breach of international law’ and said Berlin would consult its partners in the G7, NATO and the EU.
‘This is a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe,’ he told Reuters.
Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine early Thursday morning, describing it as a ‘special military operation’ and saying he wants to ‘demilitarize’, not occupy, the country.
Within hours of his address, which came around 6am Moscow time, Ukraine’s interior ministry said there had been hundreds of casualties, CNN reported – despite Russia insisting that they were only attacking military installations, and were avoiding populated areas.
Vladimir Putin has ordered an invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a ‘special military operation’ and saying he wants to ‘demilitarize’, not occupy, the country.
An explosion is seen in the early hours of Thursday in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv
Ukraine’s border force said that their posts in the north have come under attack from both Russian and Belarussian forces – a hugely significant development, meaning Russia is not acting alone, and is attacking from all sides.
The Russian president early on Thursday told Ukrainian service members to ‘lay down their arms and go home’ as he declared war on Ukraine in an early morning address to the nation.
Putin said Russia could not exist with a ‘constant threat emanating from the territory of Ukraine’ and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian solders was ‘inevitable’.
Ukraine’s president declared martial law in the early hours of Thursday, in a video message to the people urging people to remain at home and stay strong. He said he had just spoken to Joe Biden.
‘We are working. The army is working,’ he said.
‘Don’t panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will defeat everyone. Because we are Ukraine.’
Unconfirmed reports said that Russian forces had destroyed or rendered unusable the Ukrainian navy, and taken control of Boryspil Airport in Kiev.
Access to the Black Sea and Azov Sea was cut off.
More unconfirmed reports on Twitter appeared to show a huge seaborne landing by Russian forces in the Black Sea port of Odessa, involving large landing craft and helicopters shortly before 6am local time.
President Joe Biden will address the nation at noon on Thursday, and on Wednesday night he condemned Russia’s ‘unprovoked and unjustified attack.’ He was speaking to Ukraine’s president.
Biden said in a statement: ‘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 said he will be monitoring the situation from Washington, DC, and will continue to get regular updates from his national security team.
