Leaders from around the world responded to Russia launching a full-scale invasion on Ukraine during the early morning hours on Thursday by promising there would be consequences for Russia’s aggression.
Russia launched the attacks at approximately the same time that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a “special military operation” was underway. Putin told Ukrainian soldiers to give up and go home while threatening the U.S. and NATO that if they intervene “Russia will respond immediately, and you will have consequences that you never have had before in your history.”
Notable responses from world leaders included:
- Joe Biden, U.S. president: “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. … 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.”
- Olaf Scholz, German chancellor: “The Russian attack on Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. There is no justification for it. Germany condemns this reckless act by President Putin in the strongest possible terms. Our solidarity is with Ukraine and its people. Russia must stop this military action immediately. Within the framework of the G7, Nato and the EU, we will coordinate closely today. This is a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe.”
- Emmanuel Macron, French president: “France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to wage war on Ukraine. Russia must end its military operations immediately. France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with the Ukrainians and works with its partners and allies to end the war.”
- Boris Johnson, British prime minister: “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.”
- Fumio Kishida, Japanese prime minister: “The latest Russian invasion shakes the foundation of the international order, which does not permit unilateral attempts to change the status quo. We strongly condemn Russia. We will coordinate efforts with the international community, including the United States, and deal with this swiftly.”
- South Korea Foreign Ministry official (spoke on condition of anonymity): “If Russia goes ahead with an all-out war despite repeated warnings from the international community, our government has no choice but to participate in the sanctions by such means as export curbs against Russia.”
- Justin Trudeau, Canadian prime minister: “Canada condemns – in the strongest possible terms – Russia’s egregious attack on Ukraine. These unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and of Russia’s obligations under international law and the Charter of the UN. Canada calls on Russia to immediately cease all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine, and withdraw all military and proxy forces from the country. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be meeting with G7 partners to collectively respond – including by imposing sanctions additional to those announced earlier this week. These reckless and dangerous acts will not go unpunished.”
- Sauli Niinistö, president of Finland: “I strongly condemn the military measures Russia has started in Ukraine. Russia’s acts target Ukraine, but at the same time they are an attack on the entire European security order. We feel deep compassion towards Ukraine and are seeking ways to increase our support to Ukraine.”
- Zhang Jun, China’s ambassador to the United Nations: “Exercise restraint and avoid the further escalation of tensions.”
- Mario Draghi, Italian prime minister: “This is an unacceptable violation of Ukraine’s democratic sovereignty and territorial integrity. I am in constant contact with allies to find a peaceful solution to the crisis and avoid a war in the heart of Europe. The path of dialogue remains essential, but we are already defining within the European Union measures and sanctions against Russia.”
- Scott Morrison, Australian prime minister: “I’ll call it what it is. The Russian government launched a brutal invasion, unprovoked, on Ukraine, and should be condemned for doing so. Together with the international community, we are banding together in strong terms to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms. The footage that is emerging of missile strikes, air-raid sirens, and reports of hundreds of casualties – as yet unconfirmed – are, sadly, not surprising given the events we’ve been witnessing for some time now, and have been warning about. But, even as these events continue to take place, we do call on the Russian government to withdraw and return Ukraine to a peaceful situation.”
- Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of NATO: “I strongly condemn Russia’s reckless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives. Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country. This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. NATO Allies will meet to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions. We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all Allies.”
- Yair Lapid, Israel’s foreign minister: “The Russian attack on Ukraine is a serious violation of the international order. Israel condemns the attack, and is ready and prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Ukraine. Israel is a country that has experienced wars, and war is not the way to resolve conflicts. The first hours and days of any war are also the last time you can still stop and return to the negotiating table, mediated by world powers, to settle disputes peacefully. Israel has deep, long-lasting and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine. There are tens of thousands of Israelis in both countries, and there are hundreds of thousands of Jews in both countries. Maintaining their security and safety is at the top of our considerations. In addition, we must maintain the security and safety of Foreign Ministry personnel, Nativ personnel and Jewish Agency personnel located in Ukraine. At this time, they are risking their lives to continue to provide assistance and help to every Israeli and every Jew. Earlier this week, I ordered the evacuation of our Embassy in Kiev, and moved it to offices in the city of Lvov, near the Polish border. I call on every Israeli citizen to leave Ukraine to do so while the roads are still open. Currently, Ukraine’s airspace is closed and there is no train traffic. Consular representatives from the Foreign Ministry have already been stationed at all border crossings near Lvov in order to help Israelis leave the country. The border crossings where our people are stationed are the Medyka crossing on the Polish border, the Vysne Nemescke crossing on the Slovak border, the Zahony crossing to Hungary, and the Siret crossing to Romania. We coordinated in advance with all these countries – Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova – the safe and smooth exit of Israelis. I thank those governments for their assistance and goodwill.”
The initial wave of Russian attacks against Ukraine targeted military and government facilities, airfields, and installations along the border and large explosions were seen in videos posted on social media. Ukraine said that Belarus, which is aligned with Putin, assisted Russia in attacking Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian official told The Wall Street Journal that hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers died in the initial volley of attacks. That number is likely to quickly rise as Russian ground forces entered Ukrainian and Russia has launched attacks against targets in multiple cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Ivano-Frankivsk, Mariupol, and others. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he was imposing martial law “across the entire territory of our state.”
Oil prices skyrocketed to more than $100 per barrel, Dow futures plummeted 800 points, and Bitcoin lost as much as 8.6% of its value following the invasion. A top Russian official responded to relatively weak sanctions from Biden against Russia by effectively saying that Americans would feel the repercussions of the sanctions because Russia would raise the cost of gas. “There is no doubt that the sanctions introduced against us will hit global financial and energy markets,” the official said. “The United States will not be left out, with its ordinary citizens feeling the consequences of the price increase in full.”
Leaders from around the world issued statements condemning Putin for launching the attack while Ukraine pleaded for help at the United Nations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the United Nations General Assembly, “We urge member states to use all available means to protect Ukraine and deter Russia.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the organization will “meet to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions” and that NATO would “do all it takes to protect and defend all Allies.”