US President Joe Biden has reacted to the attack on Ukraine by Russian troops.
Biden, in statement on his Twitter handle, condemned the highhandedness of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russian alone is responsible for the death and destruction of Ukrainians.
The statement reads: “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.
“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.
“I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team.
“Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security.
“We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.”
Boris Johnson said: “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.”
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU Commission, who had announced new sanctions against Moscow just hours before the attack wrote: “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who reacted to the attack via a video, appealed to the Russian public for help after an attempt to speak to Putin was unsuccessful.
“Do “Russians want wars? I would very much like to answer this question. But the answer is up to you,” he said.
He also vowed to defend the country, saying: “If someone attempts to take away our land, our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves.
“By attacking, you will see our faces, not our backs, but our faces.”
