‘Putin bringing war back to Europe,’ say world leaders in reactions

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World leaders have swiftly condemned Russia’s military attack on Ukraine, with Western capitals vowing to escalate sanctions against Moscow while the head of the United Nations demanded the conflict end immediately.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba

“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.”

US President Joe Biden

“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces,” the US president said shortly after the operation began.

He warned “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring.”

“The world will hold Russia accountable,” he declared.

UN chief Antonio Guterres

Guterres made a direct and personal plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin after an emergency Security Council session, urging him to stop the attack “in the name of humanity”.

“In the name of humanity, do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century,” he said.

“The conflict must stop now,” added the UN chief, who said it was the “saddest day” of his tenure.NATO head Jens Stoltenberg

The Atlantic alliance’s secretary general said Russia had “chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country”.

The attack “puts at risk countless civilian lives,” Stoltenberg said in a statement, describing it as a “grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security”.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

“I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President (Volodymyr) Zelensky to discuss next steps,” the British leader tweeted.

“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.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

“President Putin is responsible for bringing war back to Europe…

“We will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking their access to key technologies and markets. We will weaken Russia’s economic base and its capacity to modernise.”

“In addition, we will freeze Russian assets in the EU and stop the access of Russian banks to the European financial market.”

European Commission Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell

“These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War.

“The EU will respond in the strongest possible terms and agree on the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented.”