In the early
hours of Thursday morning, international organizations and individual countries issued their first reactions to Russia’s ongoing attack in Ukraine.
Romania’s
president, Klaus Iohannis, on Thursday, firmly condemned Russia’s military
aggression in Ukraine, labeling it a grave breach of international law, of
Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity. This will be met with the strongest
reaction by the international community inflicting massive consequences and the
most severe cost, president Iohannis tweeted.
NATO Secretary
General, Jens Stoltenberg, strongly condemned Russia’s reckless and unprovoked
attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives. The NATO
official described the attack as a serious violation of international law threatening
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, Secretary Stoltenberg said.
In turn, the US
Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, condemned Putin’s
order to start a military operation in Donbas, arguing at the exact time as we
are gathered in the council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in
total disdain for the responsibility for this council. This is a grave
emergency, the US official added.