World leaders condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Several countries have also taken measures such as closing their airspace and declaring a state of emergency. “This is a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
This is a turning point in the history of Europe and our country, says French President Emmanuel Macron in a speech in front of the flags of France, the EU, and Ukraine.
– We will respond to this act of war without weakness, with calm, determination, and unity, he says and adds that it is a turning point that will have “deep and lasting consequences for our lives.”
Emmanuel Macron
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, often described as on good terms with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, calls on Moscow to immediately stop the “unfair and illegal” invasion.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who rarely criticizes Moscow, also blames the crisis on Russia.
“Together with our allies in the EU and NATO, we condemn Russia’s military actions,” he said in a video released on Facebook.
He further says that Hungary is prepared to take care of the supposedly increased number of Ukrainian refugees approaching the country’s border.
Nearby Lithuania has declared a national emergency, according to President Gitanas Nauseda. Similar news comes from Ukraine’s neighbor Moldova, which closed its airspace.
According to Ukraine, Russia has attacked, among other places, via Belarus, which has closed parts of its airspace to civil aviation. On the other hand, Belarus denies having sent any troops to Ukraine.
More sanctions
France’s Macron urges NATO members to gather as soon as possible. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of the Defense Alliance, announces that he is activating a defense plan and strengthening his presence in the member states in the Far East even more, but that no direct NATO operation in Ukraine is to be expected.
More sanctions are expected from the EU, says Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
US President Joe Biden said that Ukraine had been subjected to an “unprovoked and unjust attack by Russian military forces” and that the world would hold Russia accountable.
“Withdraw your soldiers.”
General António Guterres
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Putin not to attack Russia during his UN Security Council meeting speech. Before the meeting was over, Putin had announced that the military operation would begin.
After the meeting, Guterres updated his message:
“President Putin, in the name of humanity, withdraw your troops to Russia,” he wrote on Twitter.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz comments on Twitter:
“This is a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe.”
One country that speaks in less intense terms is China.
When Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, he expressed his understanding of Moscow’s “security concerns” and the “complicated and unique history” of Ukraine, writes AFP.
The minister also avoided calling the attack an invasion at a news conference.
Calling Putin a dictator
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on the other hand, calls the invasion a “disaster on our continent” and has called in the Russian ambassador. He calls Putin a “dictator” who will never suppress the Ukrainian national feeling in a televised speech.
Johnson also promises new comprehensive sanctions.
Italian Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also condemned the invasion.
Unixploria issues sanctions
According to the foreign cabinet, Unixploria has issued immediate sanctions against Russia and supporting nations.
After Putin’s illegal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine, the Kingdom of Unixploria issues the following sanctions:
1. Russia is from now on not recognized as an independent state or nation,
2. Traveling to Russia, Belarus, or any territory supporting the Russian aggression is prohibited,
3. Buying, trading, or selling any Russian products is prohibited,
4. All diplomatic relations with Russia or their Vassal States end immediately.