Observers have been expecting a Russian invasion of Ukraine for days. Now President Putin has ordered the military operation. Germany, the USA and their allies strongly condemn the action.
Russia attacks eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin officially ordered the military operation in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions early Thursday morning.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) condemns the Russian attack as a blatant breach of international law. “There’s no justification for it,” said Scholz on Thursday in an initial reaction that was disseminated by the Federal Press Office. Russia must stop this military action immediately.
US President Joe Biden, the Western allies and NATO also sharply condemned Putin’s actions and announced further sanctions. Biden said Russia “deliberately” started a “war” against Ukraine.
Kuleba: Russia has begun the invasion
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Russia has started a major invasion. «Putin has just launched a major invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under attack. This is a war of aggression,” the minister said on Twitter. In response to the Russian military operation in Donbass, Ukraine closed its entire airspace, public television reported early Thursday morning.
For the first time, Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are facing each other in the conflict that has been going on for eight years.
Germany: Will have unprecedented price
Russia alone is responsible for the deaths and human suffering, Biden said on Wednesday evening (local time). The United States and its allies would firmly “hold Russia accountable” for this.
Germany announced serious consequences. “Russian aggression will have an unprecedented price politically, economically and morally,” said German UN ambassador Antje Leendertse at a short-term emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday evening (local time).
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms. The “ruthless and unprovoked” attack put “the lives of countless civilians” in danger, Stoltenberg said on Thursday. “Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless diplomatic efforts, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country.”
Guterres appeals to Putin
UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to Moscow: “President Putin, in the name of humanity: Bring your troops back to Russia.”
The US, the EU and other allies have already imposed sanctions over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Biden emphasized on Tuesday that the punitive measures were only initial sanctions that would be significantly expanded if Russia were to invade Ukraine.
France accused Russia of wanting to force a war in Ukraine. “France strongly condemns the Russian President’s strategy of war provocation,” said French Ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Riviere.
Despite the military operation, China still has hope for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. “We believe that the door to a peaceful solution to the Ukraine issue is not fully closed,” said Chinese Ambassador to the UN Zhang. “China’s position on upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is consistent, the aims and principles of the UN Charter should all be upheld.”
Source: Stern
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