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‘There is No Purgatory for War Criminals.’ World Condemns Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a military operation to help civilians in Donetsk, and Luhansk, countries all over the world have appealed Russia for assistance.

Ukraine’s Embassy in London called Putin’s order an “unprovoked war,” adding that Russia is waging “a war against Europe, a war against the whole world.”

According to media reports, explosions were heard in Kyiv (the Ukrainian capital), Kharkiv (and other parts of Ukraine).

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned against intervention from abroad in the conflict. “To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken,” Putin says. “I hope you hear me.”
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The U.N.’s view on Ukraine

The Russian president’s announcement came as the United Nations Security Council was holding an emergency meeting over the crisis in Ukraine. Ambassadors from several countries, including Albania and the U.K. condemned the escalated conflict in Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the meeting, AP reported, and told Russia: “Stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance.”

Russia chairs the Security Council. In a broadcast of the meeting, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.N., could be heard demanding Russia relinquish its duties as council chair, imploring: “Phone Putin. Call [Russian foreign minister Sergey] Lavrov to stop aggression.”

U.S. ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield also lamented that Putin had “ordered that last step.”

“As we are gathered in the council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in total disdain for the responsibility of the council,” she said. “The council will need to act and we will put a resolution on the table tomorrow.”

As the meeting ended, Ukraine’s Kyslytsya told the Russian envoy: “There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, ambassador.”

Markus Schreiber—AP After it was lit in Ukrainian colors to show support for Ukraine in Berlin’s tensions, people look at Brandenburg Gate.

The U.S. response to Russia’s Invasion

In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden called the attack “unprovoked and unjustified,” saying that Russia has chosen a 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,” Biden said.

The president said he would be monitoring the situation and will meet with his counterparts in other G7 countries and with U.S. allies in NATO to ensure “a strong united response.”

Putin denounces the Ukraine’s desire to join NATO.

What are other countries saying about Ukraine’s invasion?

The European Union’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, echoed the U.S. condemnation of Russia and said that the E.U. We will make the Kremlin responsible.

“In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” she added in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was speaking before the country’s legislature about Ukraine when news of the Russian operations came through.

According to Kyodo News, Kishida assured legislators Japan would cooperate closely with G-7 nations to address the crisis. “It is very important for the international community to unite and show its strong will,” he was quoted as saying.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö said Russia’s military measures may have been aimed Ukraine, but they were also “an attack on the entire European security order.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled” by the turn of events in Ukraine. A tweetJohnson stated that he spoke to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zilenskyy about next steps.

“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine,” the British leader said.

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