Reactions to the Russia-Ukraine conflict LIVE | EU chief vows to hold Kremlin ‘accountable’ for ‘unfair’ attack on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it was aimed at protecting civilians.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it was aimed at protecting civilians.

In a televised address, Mr Putin said the action was taken in response to threats coming from Ukraine. He said that Russia has no goal of occupying Ukraine. Mr Putin said the Ukrainian “regime” was responsible for the bloodshed.

Several countries around the world have reacted strongly to the move, including the US, the UK; the United Nations has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from invading Ukraine and “give peace a chance”. And has a strong appeal.

Read | Russia-Ukraine crisis: How was India affected? , Worldview with Suhasini Hydari

Here are the latest updates:

Portugal

Portugal calls for immediate end to Russian military operation in Ukraine

Portugal’s Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva on Thursday called for an immediate end to the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

“The military operation launched by Russia on the territory of Ukraine this morning is an unjustified aggression and a gross violation of international law,” Santos Silva said on his Twitter account. — Reuters

Italy

Italy PM: ‘Unfair and unfair’

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday called Russia’s attack on Ukraine “unfair and unfair”, saying Europe and NATO were working on an immediate response.

“The Italian government condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine. This is unfair and unfair. Italy is close to the Ukrainian people and institutions at this dramatic moment. We work with European and NATO allies to respond promptly with unity and determination. working.” Draghi said in a statement.

France

Russia waging war against Ukraine: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Russia’s military action against Ukraine, promising that Paris would work with allies to end the war.

“Russia must immediately end its military operations,” Macron wrote on Twitter, adding that Russia had decided to “wage war” on Ukraine.

“France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with Ukrainians and is working with its allies and allies to end the war,” he said.

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida condemns Russia’s actions in Ukraine

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan strongly condemned Russia’s unilateral action, following reports that Russian forces had fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities.

Mr. Kishida said that he has instructed the concerned Japanese authorities to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in Ukraine.

China

China appeals to all parties involved in Ukraine to exercise restraint

Russia’s close ally China has called on all parties involved in the Ukraine issue to exercise restraint and refrain from taking any action that may escalate tensions.

However, it is unclear whether China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun made the statement after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday, claiming it was aimed at protecting civilians.

The European Union

EU chief vows to hold Kremlin ‘accountable’ for ‘unfair’ attack on Ukraine

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine and vowed to hold Moscow “accountable”.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine. In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” the EU said. Chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter: “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”

Belgium

Belgium calls Russia’s attack ‘darkest period in Europe’s history since World War II’

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Cru said Thursday that Russia’s attack on Ukraine has brought Europe back to a position he thought the continent had long recovered from.

“This is the darkest time in Europe since World War II,” he said on Twitter.

czech republic

Czech Republic calls Russian attack on Ukraine a ‘barbaric act of aggression’

Russia’s attack on Ukraine is “a barbaric act of aggression” and the Czech Republic will respond together with its allies, Foreign Minister Jan Lipowski said on Thursday.

“The Kremlin’s decision to attack for absolutely no reason is unacceptable and contrary to international law,” he said on Twitter. — Reuters

Biden speaks with Ukraine’s Zelensky: W House

US President Joe Biden spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the White House said in Washington late Wednesday.

Mr Biden “just spoke with Zelensky,” a spokesman said, adding details would be released later. -afp

India calls for immediate de-escalation, avoiding further action that may worsen Russia-Ukraine crisis

India called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and warned that the situation was in danger of escalating into a major crisis, as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to launch a “military operation” in eastern Ukraine. declare.

The 15-nation UN Security Council held an emergency meeting in Ukraine late Wednesday, the second meeting this week and the fourth since January 31 as tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated. -PTI

Biden condemns Russia for ‘unfair attack’

US President Joe Biden is condemning Russia for an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine. He promised that the US and its allies would “hold Russia accountable”.

Mr Biden says he plans to speak to the American people on Thursday after a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders. More sanctions against Russia are expected to be announced on Thursday.

NATO and EU will hold emergency meeting today

Emergency meetings between NATO and EU today, US says it will bring a resolution against Russia’s actions at UNSC today.

Britain says unprovoked attack on Ukraine, Kiev airport cancels flights

Britain’s ambassador to Ukraine said the country had launched a “completely unprovoked attack” after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a special military operation there.

The Interfax Ukraine news agency said Kyiv’s Zhulyani airport was canceling flights. Earlier, a Reuters eyewitness heard explosions in the capital.

“A completely unprovoked attack on Ukraine, a peaceful country, is coming to the fore. Terrified,” British Ambassador Melinda Simmons said on Twitter. -afp

UN chief urges Putin to ‘give peace a chance’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is asking Russian President Vladimir Putin not to send Russian troops against Ukraine and to “give peace a chance”.

Guterres opened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council late Wednesday, saying the day was full of rumors and signs that an offensive against Ukraine was imminent.

In recent days, Guterres says he never believed rumors that Russia would invade Ukraine and was “convinced that nothing serious would happen”. -ap

Ukraine closes airspace to civilian flights for “high risk” to security

Ukraine said early Thursday that it had closed its airspace to civilian flights due to a “high risk” to security, hours after a conflict zone monitoring alerted airlines that airlines could face an unintended fire or fire. Overflights at the risk of cyberattacks must be prevented.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine in what appeared to be the start of war in Europe. -Reuters

Japan, Australia monitoring oil market for impact from Ukraine conflict

Japan and Australia said on Thursday that they were watching oil prices closely for any impact from hostilities in Ukraine, with Australia saying it would look to tap its oil reserves in the United States if global supplies were affected. ready for

Governor Haruhiko Kuroda told parliament that the Bank of Japan would closely monitor how escalating tensions in Ukraine could affect oil prices, given Japan’s heavy reliance on energy imports.

Australia’s Energy Minister, Angus Taylor, said that any move to tap Australia’s small reserves in the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve would be in coordination with other International Energy Agency (IEA) members. -Reuters

24 February, 2022, 1:51 pm