Government And Intergovernmental Reactions To The 2022 Russian Invasion Of Ukraine on:
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The
On 9 March, Russia bombed a
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
received widespread international condemnation, leading to new sanctions being imposed on Russia, consequently triggering a Russian financial crisis. Reactions among governments worldwide have generally been negative, with criticism and condemnation made by many leading nations such as the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
, the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
, Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
and Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. International organizations such as the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
(UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
(NATO) have also voiced significant criticism of the invasion over not having justifiable precedent. From the early phases of the invasion, the United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...
voted to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine
Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy, ; russian: Владимир Александрович Зеленский, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Zelenskyy, (born 25 January 1978; also transliterated as Zelensky or Zelenskiy) is a Ukrainian politicia ...
called for nations to either establish a no-fly zone
A no-fly zone, also known as a no-flight zone (NFZ), or air exclusion zone (AEZ), is a territory or area established by a military power over which certain aircraft are not permitted to fly. Such zones are usually set up in an enemy power's te ...
over Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
or provide Ukraine with air support. Zelenskyy also called for "peace", stating that he does not "want Ukraine's history to be a legend about 300 Spartans." Zelenskyy, in an address to the British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the upper house, the House of Lords, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England.
The House of Commons is an elected body consisting of 650 mem ...
, also invoked the words of Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 Winston Churchill in the Second World War, dur ...
by saying "We will fight at sea; we will fight in the air; we will protect our land. We will fight everywhere ... and we will not surrender."
Ukrainian officials have published photos and videos of killed and captured Russian soldiers. Some experts have argued that Article 13 of the Third Geneva Convention
The Third Geneva Convention, relative to the treatment of prisoners of war, is one of the four treaties of the Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War was first adopted in 1929, but significantl ...
prohibits videos of captured soldiers.
On 2 April, Zelenskyy warned Ukrainian residents that Russian forces retreating from around Kyiv were "mining the whole territory. They are mining homes, mining equipment, even the bodies of people who were killed", and leaving behind "a lot of trip wires, a lot of other dangers."
Russia
On 26 February 2022, the Russian communications regulator,Roskomnadzor
The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, abbreviated as ''Roskomnadzor'' (RKN) (russian: Роскомнадзор КН, is the Russian federal executive agency responsible for monitoring, co ...
, ordered independent media outlets to take down reports that described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an "assault, invasion, or declaration of war", threatening fines and blocks. From 1 March, Russian schools started war-themed social studies classes for teenagers based on the Russian government's position on history; one teaching manual (publicized by independent media outlet MediaZona) asserted that "genocide" had been occurring in eastern Ukraine for eight years, and that Russia was responding with a "special peacekeeping operation" in Ukraine, which was "not a war".
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who holds the office of president of Russia. Putin has served continuously as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime min ...
on 4 March declared that Russia had "absolutely no ill intentions with regard to our neighbors". Putin called for other countries to "think about normalizing relations and cooperating normally", stating there was "no need to escalate the situation, impose restrictions".
On 5 March he criticized Ukraine for resisting the invasion, saying, "they are calling into question the future of Ukrainian statehood." Also that day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA Russia; russian: Министерство иностранных дел Российской Федерации, МИД РФ) is the central government institution charged with lea ...
urged the countries of the European Union and NATO to "stop pumping weapons" to Ukraine, claiming that terrorists might use the weapons against airplanes.
On 7 March, the Russian government adopted a list of countries and regions "taking unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies, and citizens" – Albania
Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...
, Andorra
, image_flag = Flag of Andorra.svg
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Andorra.svg
, symbol_type = Coat of arms
, national_motto = la, Virtus Unita Fortior, label=none (Latin)"United virtue is stro ...
, Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
, all European Union
The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...
states, Iceland
Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its s ...
, Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein (), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (german: link=no, Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy ...
, the Federated states of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia (; abbreviated FSM) is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosraethat are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise a ...
, Monaco
Monaco (; ), officially the Principality of Monaco (french: Principauté de Monaco; Ligurian: ; oc, Principat de Mónegue), is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Lig ...
, New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
, Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...
, South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
, San Marino
San Marino (, ), officially the Republic of San Marino ( it, Repubblica di San Marino; ), also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino ( it, Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino, links=no), is the fifth-smallest country in the world an ...
, North Macedonia
North Macedonia, ; sq, Maqedonia e Veriut, (Macedonia before February 2019), officially the Republic of North Macedonia,, is a country in Southeast Europe. It gained independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Socialist Feder ...
, Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
, United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
, Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
, Montenegro
)
, image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg
, map_caption =
, image_map2 =
, capital = Podgorica
, coordinates =
, largest_city = capital
, official_languages = M ...
, Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
, and Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
.
Putin on 8 March declared that Russian "conscript soldiers are not participating in hostilities" in Ukraine "and will not participate in them". On 9 March, the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (russian: Министерство обороны Российской Федерации, Минобороны России, informally abbreviated as МО, МО РФ or Minoboron) is the govern ...
stated that it had "discovered" Russian conscript soldiers participating in the military operation in Ukraine, and that "almost all" of these conscripts had returned to Russia, but some other conscripts had been "captured" in Ukraine.
On 9 March, Russia bombed a maternity hospital
A maternity hospital specializes in caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth. It also provides care for newborn infants, and may act as a centre for clinical training in midwifery and obstetrics. Formerly known as lying-in hospitals, most o ...
in Mariupol
Mariupol (, ; uk, Маріу́поль ; russian: Мариу́поль) is a city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. It is situated on the northern coast (Pryazovia) of the Sea of Azov, at the mouth of the Kalmius River. Prior to the 2022 Russian i ...
; Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...
journalists on the scene took photos and videos of multiple bloodstained, pregnant mothers leaving the blown-out maternity ward
Childbirth, also known as labour and delivery, is the ending of pregnancy where one or more babies exits the internal environment of the mother via vaginal delivery or caesarean section. In 2019, there were about 140.11 million births global ...
. One pregnant woman and her baby died after the bombing. Russian officials provided different, shifting stances on the bombing. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
Dmitry Sergeyevich Peskov ( rus, Дмитрий Сергеевич Песков, p=pʲɪˈskof; born 17 October 1967) is a Russian diplomat and the press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Minister 
On 1 April, Russia accused Ukraine of conducting an airstrike on Russian territory; this was the first such accusation since the start of the Russian invasion. Russia said that an airstrike on a
*
** President 
* – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter that "We must immediately respond to Russia's criminal aggression on Ukraine Europe and the free world has to stop Putin", and its government announced that the country was "ready to accept migrants and has prepared hospitals and a train to transport Ukrainians wounded in the assault". The Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji, National Broadcasting Council banned the Russian state-controlled television network RT (TV network), RT on 24 February.
* – Prime Minister António Costa "vehemently condemns the military action triggered by Russia today on Ukrainian soil" in a press statement following a meeting with the minister of state and foreign affairs, the minister of defence, and the chief of the general staff.
* – President Klaus Iohannis condemned Russia's military aggression against Ukraine via Twitter. He said that "Romania, together with the entire international democratic community, strongly rejects this irresponsible behaviour that undermines the foundations of international relations and the current order of international law", and that "the Russian Federation has once again shown that it is not is interested in the constructive and responsible dialogue offered by the European and Euro-Atlantic community" and that Romanian citizens should leave Ukraine as soon as possible.
* – The San Marino Secretary for Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that "the military escalation in Ukraine is a great wound for all the people and nations who strongly believe in the values of peace and strongly condemn war" and "the San Marino institutions and government are in deep shock at this time".
*
** While condemning the invasion of Ukraine, Serbia refused to back sanctions against Russia. Serbia respected Ukraine's territorial integrity and considered Russia's action against it "wrong", but would not impose sanctions against Moscow, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on 25 February. Vučić said the National Security Council concluded the Republic of Serbia considers "very wrong the violation of territorial integrity of a number of countries including Ukraine." Vučić also said that he would condemn Russia's recognition of the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine only if Zelenskyy condemned the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 on public television.
** Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković said that "Russia was Serbia's biggest support in its battle to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty and avoid the stigmatisation of the entire Serb people." Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin stressed that Serbia would not join NATO: "While Aleksandar Vučić is the head of the state, you should have no dilemma as to what our attitude toward the NATO alliance is." While there was no agreement on sanctions on Russia, Serbia nevertheless expressed regrets over events, describing both Russia and Ukraine as friendly states and underlining full support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
** After the military assault began, some Serbian pro-government newspapers hailed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, praising that Russia "overran" Ukraine, Moscow's troops "reached Kyiv in a day" and that the Russian attack on Ukraine was a "response to NATO threats". Serbian Parliament Speaker Ivica Dačić said that Serbia would never impose sanctions on its friend Russia, despite the pressure that it faced. Dačić also added that "Russia is our most influential ally for preserving our territorial integrity and sovereignty in Kosovo." The initial weak response by the government was criticised by some commentators in the country and the region.
** The Serbian organization Women in Black organised anti-war demonstrations in Belgrade, and the Serbian Orthodox Church organised a collection of humanitarian aid.
** On 2 March Serbia voted 'yes' to the UN's resolution condemning the Russian attack on Ukraine.
** On 16 May Serbia signed the "Tirana declaration" and deplored in the strongest terms the illegal and unjustified aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
* – Prime Minister Eduard Heger stated that "The Russian imperialism has been restored in front of our eyes in its aggressive, militant form" and about Russian president Vladimir Putin added "All victims of this war will be his victims and he will be responsible for them in the eyes of the global public." On 24 February 2022, Bratislava Castle and the seat of President of Slovakia Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava was light up in blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine. Slovakia also provided Ukraine with an S-300 missile system, S-300 air defense system.
* – Prime Minister Janez Janša condemned Russia's "unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine" and demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its military and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, reaffirming Slovenia's support of Ukraine. Janša is due to visit Ukraine on 25 February 2022 for talks with his Ukrainian counterparts. The national flag of Ukraine was also hung from the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana as a symbol of solidarity and brotherhood between the two countries.
*
** The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement: "The Republic of South Ossetia expresses its support for the decision of the Russian Federation to conduct the special military operation to protect the residents of Donbas from the current nationalist regime of Kyiv."
** On 26 March 2022, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov began sending troops to Ukraine to assist Russia with the invasion.
* – In a press release, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta announced that they were supplying Ukraine refugees with "emergency relief, food and psychosocial support."
*
** Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the "intolerable military actions of the Russian government in Ukrainian soil" on Twitter after holding a meeting of the National Security Council (Spain), Spanish National Security Council presided over by Felipe VI of Spain, King Felipe VI.
** Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares called the attack "unjustifiable" and a "blatant violation of international law", and announced that Spain was coordinating with EU partners and NATO allies. Minister of Defence Margarita Robles asked for "really severe" sanctions and called Russian actions "of an extraordinary gravity" but noted that there would be no NATO troops on Ukrainian soil as the country "is not a NATO member".
** On 27 February, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced the shipment of 20 tons of defense military equipment to Ukraine and advanced the request to send the Spanish frigate Blas de Lezo (F103), frigate Blas de Lezo in conjunction with a NATO mission.
* – Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson stated that "Sweden condemns in the strongest terms Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russia's acts are also an attack on the European security order. It will be met by a united and robust response in solidarity with Ukraine. Russia alone is responsible for human suffering.".
* – The Swiss foreign ministry called Russia's actions an "invasion" and a "gross violation of international law", while Swiss President Ignazio Cassis announced that the country would support EU sanctions on travel and finance but would still not impose sanctions of its own. However, the Swiss Federal Council reversed course on 28 February, announcing that Switzerland was imposing the same sanctions on Russian assets as the European Union. Exempt from these sanctions were payments for energy raw materials. According to Cassis, the decision was unprecedented but consistent with Swiss neutrality. The Ukraine Recovery International Conference took place in Lugano, 
*
** Elizabeth II, The Queen made a "generous" donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
** Prime Minister
* – Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the Russian invasion was "the saddest moment in my tenure" and called on Putin to withdraw his troops "in the name of humanity". On 25 February, the United Nations Security Council, Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution which would have "deplored, in the strongest terms, the Russian Federation's aggression" on Ukraine. Of the 15 member states on the Security Council, 11 were in support, whilst three abstained from voting. The draft resolution failed due to a Russian veto. Due to the deadlock, the Security Council passed a resolution to convene the United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly for the Eleventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly, eleventh emergency special session. On 2 March, the General Assembly voted to deplore "in the strongest possible terms" Russia's aggression against Ukraine by a vote of 141 to 5, with 35 abstentions. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, resolution also called for the Russian Federation to "immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine" and "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces." Only Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea voted against the resolution. On 4 March, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution by a vote of 32 to 2, with 13 abstentions, calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops and Russian-backed armed groups from Ukraine and humanitarian access to people in need. The resolution also established a commission to investigate alleged rights violations committed during Russia's military attack on Ukraine. On 23 March, the UN Security Council failed to back a Russian humanitarian resolution calling for the protection of civilians and their safe passage. It was criticised by French and American representatives for not mentioning Russia's role in the ongoing crisis. On 24 March, the UN General Assembly voted 140 to 5 in favor of United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/2, a resolution approving aid access and civilian protection in Ukraine, which again criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On 7 April, the UN General Assembly voted 93–24, with 58 abstentions, to United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/3, suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
* – Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and Chair of the African Union and Senegalese president Macky Sall called on Russia and "any other regional or international actor to imperatively respect international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Ukraine" and urged both parties to the conflict to establish an immediate ceasefire and start political negotiations without delay.
* Arctic Council – On 3 March, all member states of the Arctic Council besides Russia (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States) released a joint statement condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a flagrant violation of the organization's "core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity". They also noted, "the grave impediments to international cooperation, including in the Arctic, that Russia's actions have caused". The seven members announced they would no longer attend meetings of the Council in Russia, which currently holds the organization's rotating chairmanship.
* – Foreign ministers of ASEAN expressed grave concern over Russia-Ukraine tensions and urged maximum restraint and dialogue.
* Baltic Assembly – The Baltic Assembly published a statement in which it "firmly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine".
* – A statement issued on behalf of the Caribbean Community condemned the invasion of Ukraine and demanded an "immediate and complete withdrawal" of Russia's military from Ukraine.
* – The Committee of Ministers passed a resolution that "condemned in the strongest terms the armed attack on Ukraine" and called for Russia to "immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations" On 25 February, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe suspended Russia from its rights of representation in the Committee of Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly. In the following days, the European Court of Human Rights granted interim measures indicating to Russia that it should refrain from military attacks against civilians and civilian objects and should ensure access to safe evacuation routes, healthcare, food and other essential supplies, rapid and unconstrained passage of humanitarian aid, and movement of humanitarian workers. Russia accused NATO and EU members of having undermined the Council of Europe, and announced its intention to withdraw from the organisation. On 15 March, Russia notified the council of its decision to withdraw and to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights by the end of 2022. The following day, the Committee of Ministers decided to expel Russia from the Council of Europe with immediate effect.
* – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted; "We will not let President Putin tear down Europe's security architecture" and Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell called on Putin to stop the "senseless aggression". President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola called for "immediate, quick, solid and swift action" and convened an extraordinary session of Parliament for 1 March.
* Economic Community of West African States – ECOWAS released a statement that condemned the invasion and called for both parties to stop the fighting. Instead, ECOWAS urged for both parties to use dialogue to solve differences for sake of the interest of peace in the region.
* International Criminal Court – Neither Ukraine nor Russia are parties to the Rome Statute, however, the Ukrainian government has voluntarily accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court since 2015 for any possible war crimes committed on Ukrainian territory since 20 February 2014. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Ahmad Khan, issued a statement on 25 February reminding all parties involved that the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has jurisdiction to investigate any act of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity and that "any person who commits such crimes, including by ordering, inciting, or contributing in another manner to the commission of these crimes, may be liable to prosecution before the Court." Khan issued a follow-up statement on 28 February that the OTP had a reasonable basis to begin an investigation under article 15(3) of the Rome Statute pending approval from the Pre-Trial Chamber of the court. The approval requirement was bypassed after 39 states parties referred the situation in Ukraine to the OTP and the International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine, formal investigation commenced on 2 March.
* International Energy Agency – On 25 February, the IEA's thirty-one member countries "expressed great concern over the destruction and loss of life" and said they would closely monitor impacts on energy markets. In response to the threat the Russian invasion posed to global oil markets, on 1 March the IEA Governing Board authorized the release of 61.7 million barrels of oil from member countries' strategic petroleum reserves. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said, "The situation in energy markets is very serious and demands our full attention. Global energy security is under threat, putting the world economy at risk during a fragile stage of recovery." On 1 April, the Governing Board announced a second release of emergency oil stocks, making another 120 million barrels available for oil markets.
* – Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack and called it a "grave breach of international law". A separate statement announced an intention to deploy defensive forces and condemned Belarus for enabling the attack. On 8 March, Stoltenberg warned that "if there is any attack against any NATO country, NATO territory, that will trigger Article 5" of the North Atlantic Treaty. On 13 March, Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of a full-fledged NATO response if Russia hit any part of NATO territory.
* – President Erkki Tuomioja condemned the invasion as "completely unjust" and stated that it was "contrary to both international law and the order of European security."
* – The Organization of American States, OAS condemned the attack as an affront to mankind and an attack on civilised international relations. On 21 April OAS voted to suspend Russian permanent observer status in the organization. 25 nations voted in favour, 8 abstained and none voted against the motion.
* Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – The OECD Council formally terminated accession negotiations with Russia and ordered the closure of OECD offices in Moscow.
* – OSCE Chairman Zbigniew Rau and Secretary General Helga Schmid issued a joint statement on 24 February 2022 condemning the invasion. All international members of the multi-national OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which had been deployed in the country since 21 March 2014, were evacuated beginning 24 February. A Ukrainian member of the OSCE mission, Maryna Fenina, was killed on 1 March during the Battle of Kharkiv (2022), shelling of Kharkiv.
* Pacific Islands Forum – In a statement, the Pacific Islands Forum condemned the invasion, saying "observed from afar the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Russia's blatant disregard for international law."
Archive of the Kremlin's official websites when hacked by Anonymous
{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, * 2022 in international relations Reactions to 2020s events International reactions to armed conflicts Articles containing video clips
Sergey Lavrov
Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov (russian: Сергей Викторович Лавров, ; born 21 March 1950) is a Russian diplomat and politician who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Russia), Foreign Minister of Russia since 2004.
...
criticized "pathetic shouting about so-called atrocities", stating that the hospital had no patients and doctors. According to him, it was controlled by Ukrainian extremists. Russia's Defense Ministry denied bombing the hospital, and accused Ukraine of staging the bombing. Russian officials called images of the attack "fake news" and labelled a pregnant woman pictured fleeing the bombed hospital as an actor.
On 16 March, a Russian airstrike hit a theatre in Mariupol containing hundreds of civilians; satellite pictures three days prior showed large words "DETI" ("children" in Russian) displayed as a signal to Russian forces about those inside the theatre. Russia's military denied bombing the theatre. Russia's foreign ministry said that it was a "lie" that Russia bombed the theatre, insisting that "Russia's armed forces don't bomb towns and cities". During the invasion, Russia used airstrikes against Ukrainian cities including Mariupol, Kyiv and Kharkiv.
On 16 March, Putin gave a speech calling Russian opponents of the war "scum and traitors," saying that "natural and necessary self-cleansing of society will only strengthen our country."
On 25 March, the leader of the Russian military's General Staff
A military staff or general staff (also referred to as army staff, navy staff, or air staff within the individual services) is a group of officers, enlisted and civilian staff who serve the commander of a division or other large military un ...
Main Operational Directorate, , stated that the first stage of the operation had "generally been accomplished", and the "combat potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (was) considerably reduced", allowing Russia "to focus our core efforts on achieving the main goal, the liberation of Donbas
The Donbas or Donbass (, ; uk, Донба́с ; russian: Донба́сс ) is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine. Parts of the Donbas are controlled by Russian separatist groups as a result of the Russo-Ukrai ...
" in eastern Ukraine. A day later, Russian forces bombed Lviv
Lviv ( uk, Львів) is the largest city in western Ukraine, and the seventh-largest in Ukraine, with a population of . It serves as the administrative centre of Lviv Oblast and Lviv Raion, and is one of the main cultural centres of Ukraine ...
, a city in western Ukraine.
On 1 April, Russia accused Ukraine of conducting an airstrike on Russian territory; this was the first such accusation since the start of the Russian invasion. Russia said that an airstrike on a fuel depot
An oil terminal (also called a tank farm, tankfarm, oil installation or oil depot) is an industrial facility for the storage of oil, petroleum and petrochemical products, and from which these Petroleum product, products are transported to end u ...
in Belgorod
Belgorod ( rus, Белгород, p=ˈbʲeɫɡərət) is a city and the administrative center of Belgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Seversky Donets River north of the border with Ukraine. Population: Demographics
The population of Be ...
had upset the peace negotiations with Ukraine.
After Russian forces occupied Bucha, Kyiv Oblast
Bucha ( uk, Буча, ) is a city in Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast. Administratively, it serves as the administrative center of Bucha Raion. It hosts the administration of Bucha urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Its population is approximat ...
for five weeks and then withdrew, they were accused by Bucha officials of extrajudicial killings of Bucha residents. Russia's Ministry of Defense responded on 3 April that "not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions" during the Russian occupation of Bucha. This claim was contradicted by many eyewitness accounts by Bucha residents.
The Russian defence ministry suggested that corpses of dead civilians had been placed on the streets of Bucha after "all Russian units withdrew completely" from the city on 30 March, but satellite photos were taken by Maxar Technologies
Maxar Technologies Inc. is a space technology company headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, United States, specializing in manufacturing communication, Earth observation, radar, and on-orbit servicing satellites, satellite products, and relat ...
showed that at least 11 body-sized objects on Bucha's Yablonska Street appeared between 9 and 11 March, remaining there for more than three weeks, in the same positions as 11 civilian corpses in a 1 April video. A high-ranking Russian official, Mikhail Ulyanov, claimed that Bucha's mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk did not discuss "dead bodies in the streets" in a 31 March video, but Fedoruk on 7 March had already done so, and on 28 March, accused Russian forces of killings and rapes in Bucha.
RIA Novosti
RIA Novosti (russian: РИА Новости), sometimes referred to as RIAN () or RIA (russian: РИА, label=none) is a Russian state-owned domestic news agency. On 9 December 2013 by a decree of Vladimir Putin it was liquidated and its asse ...
, a media outlet controlled and owned by the Russian government, published an article by Timofey Sergeytsev that declared that "Nazis who took weapons must be killed in numbers as much as possible", while "most of the krainianpeople are guilty, they are passive Nazis, Nazi enablers ... and must be punished". The article also stated that Ukraine "may develop only in dependency to Russia", and that "history has proven Ukraine may not exist as a national state". On 5 April 2022, Russia's opposition politician Alexei Navalny
Alexei Anatolievich Navalny ( rus, links=no, Алексей Анатольевич Навальный, , ɐlʲɪkˈsʲej ɐnɐˈtolʲjɪvʲɪtɕ nɐˈvalʲnɨj; born 4 June 1976) is a Opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia, Russian opposition ...
said the "monstrosity of lies" in the Russian state media "is unimaginable. And, unfortunately, so is its persuasiveness for those who have no access to alternative information." He tweeted that "warmongers" among Russian state media personalities "should be treated as war criminals. From the editors-in-chief to the talk show hosts to the news editors, hey
Hey or Hey! may refer to:
Music
* Hey (band), a Polish rock band
Albums
* ''Hey'' (Andreas Bourani album) or the title song (see below), 2014
* ''Hey!'' (Julio Iglesias album) or the title song, 1980
* ''Hey!'' (Jullie album) or the title s ...
should be sanctioned now and tried someday."
In July 2022, , a member of the Krasnoselsky district council in Moscow, was sentenced to seven years in prison after making anti-war comments at a council meeting in March, including stating that "our country has aggressively attacked a neighbouring country" and "kids in Ukraine are dying each day". Lawyer Pavel Chikov
Pavel Vladimirovich Chikov (russian: Павел Владимирович Чиков; born May 19, 1978) is a Russian lawyer, human rights activist, and public figure. Chikov is the head of the Agora International Human Rights Group and a former ...
said that this was the first jail term under the new Russian 2022 war censorship laws
The Russian 2022 Laws Establishing War Censorship and Prohibiting Anti-War Statements and Calls for Sanctions is a group of federal laws promulgated by the Russian government during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These laws establish administra ...
.
Other countries
Africa
* – The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was "following developments" and called for Algerians in Ukraine to adhere to instructions given by the Algerian embassy. * – The Angolan government urged a ceasefire and warned that the conflict, in addition to causing human and material damage, caused "a climate of tension between the two countries, with international proportions". The Angolan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "the parties must strive for the peaceful resolution of the conflict." * – Botswana was one of 87 signatories to the UN letter condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. * – The Prime Minister of Cape VerdeJosé Ulisses Correia e Silva
José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva () (born 4 June 1962) is a Cape Verdean businessman and politician who has been Prime Minister of Cape Verde since 22 April 2016.
He took office after his party, the Movement for Democracy, won the 20 March ...
condemned the invasion and called for a search for solutions through diplomatic channels and dialogue.
* – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly
Mostafa Kamal Madbouly ( ar, مصطفى كمال مدبولي; born 28 April 1966) is the Prime Minister of Egypt, serving since 2018. He was appointed by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to succeed Sherif Ismail following his government's resignat ...
expressed his hope the situation would soon be resolved.
* – Eritrea was one of five countries that voted against the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia.
* – The Ethiopian Embassy in Berlin urged Ethiopians in Ukraine to cross the border into Poland.
* – Gabon participated in the Albanian-American-led Joint Statement following a vote on a UN Security Council resolution on Russia's aggression toward Ukraine.
* – The Gambia cosponsored the Albanian-American-led statement at the UN Security Council condemning Russia.
* – Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (born 8 February 1963), is a Ghanaian politician who serves as Ghana's minister for foreign affairs and regional integration. She was appointed by Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 10 Ja ...
condemned the invasion.
* – Kenya participated in the Albanian-American-led Joint Statement following a vote on a UN Security Council resolution on Russia's aggression toward Ukraine.
* – Lesotho participated in the Albanian-American-led Joint Statement following a vote on a UN Security Council resolution on Russia's aggression toward Ukraine.
* – The Liberian government said that the unprovoked attack was unacceptable, and " rgedRussia to ease hostilities".
* – Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush
Najla Mohammed El Mangoush ( ar, نجلاء محمد المنقوش; born 7 June 1970) is a Libyan diplomat and lawyer. She has been Libya's Foreign Minister in Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh's government since 15 March 2021. Najla El Mangoush is Libya's f ...
condemned Russia's military intervention as a violation of international law, and called on Moscow "to calm and retreat."
* – President Lazarus Chakwera
Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera (born 5 April 1955) is a Malawian theologian and politician who has served as President of Malawi since June 2020. In addition to the Presidency, he also serves as Defence minister, Minister of Defence per Malawian cons ...
urged Russia to withdraw.
* – The Mauritian government called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and joined the call to return to peaceful dialogue between the parties.
* – Morocco reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of all UN states.
* – Namibia called on the United Nations to peacefully resolve the situation. The Namibian Government also looked to evacuate 100 Namibians in Ukraine, should it become necessary.
* – Niger was one of 87 signatories to the UN letter condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
* – On 24 February 2022, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing the invasion as a "surprise". It announced plans for the evacuation of Nigerian citizens from Ukraine. However, it avoided condemning the actions of Russia, and reaffirmed Russia's claims that the attacks in Ukraine had "been confined to military installations". On 26 February 2022, after Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama
Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama (born 2 February 1956) is Nigeria's Minister for Foreign Affairs. Onyeama was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria in November 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Early life and education
Onyeama was ...
met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria Kirdoda Valerii, Russian ambassador to Nigeria Alexey Shebarshin, and envoys from the G7 countries, he officially condemned Russia's invasion and urged Russian troops be withdrawn.
* – President of São Tomé and Príncipe Carlos Vila Nova
Carlos Manuel Vila Nova (born 27 July 1959) is a São Toméan politician who is the fifth and current president of São Tomé and Príncipe, since 2 October 2021. He served as the minister of Public Works and Natural Resources (2010–2012) and ...
said that the country "is not in favor of war" in Ukraine and hopes that the parties can still talk "to resolve disputes".
* – Naledi Pandor
Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor (née Matthews; born 7 December 1953) is a South African politician, educator and academic serving as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation since 2019. She has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) ...
, Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is the foreign ministry of the South African government. It is responsible for South Africa's relationships with foreign countries and international organizations, and runs South A ...
(DIRCO), blamed neither Russia nor Ukraine, calling for "inclusive talks led by the UNSC
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN) and is charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and ...
" and "enhanced diplomacy". The Head of Public Diplomacy at DIRCO said that South Africa had "adopted a non-aligned position", discouraged the imposition of sanctions and called on NATO to respect Russian security concerns.
** The provincial cabinet
Provincial may refer to:
Government & Administration
* Provincial capitals, an administrative sub-national capital of a country
* Provincial city (disambiguation)
* Provincial minister (disambiguation)
* Provincial Secretary, a position in Can ...
of the Western Cape Province
The Western Cape is a province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of , and the third most populous, with an estimated 7 million inhabitants in 2020 ...
passed a resolution criticizing the Russian invasion. It called for a full withdrawal of Russian forces and criticized the ambiguous position of the South African government.
* – The South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested diplomats in European countries to tally South Sudanese citizens in Ukraine, saying they were "very much concerned about the situation in Ukraine".
* – Sudan coordinated an evacuation of Sudanese citizens in Ukraine with authorities in Poland and Romania.
* – Tunisia called on all parties to work on settling the conflict through peaceful means, expressed "great concern" over the aggravation of tension in the region." Tunisia called on its nationals in Ukraine not to leave the country without prior coordination.
* – In response to questions from a MP, Vice president Mutale Nalumango
W.K. Mutale Nalumango (born 1 January 1955) is an educator and politician who is the 14th and current vice president of Zambia, the second woman to hold the position. She previously served as vice-president of the Secondary Schools’ Teachers U ...
stated that Zambia could not make a unilateral decision regarding the conflict, and that they would "not make a position as an individual country but as a grouping to various bodies that the country belongs to". The country also made plans to evacuate all known Zambians in the country. At the emergency special session the Zambia's representative announced the country would support the draft resolution condemning the invasion.
* – Zimbabwe evacuated 256 nationals from Ukraine, advising nationals to leave Ukraine if safe to do so.
Asia
* – On 25 February 2022 theTaliban
The Taliban (; ps, طالبان, ṭālibān, lit=students or 'seekers'), which also refers to itself by its state (polity), state name, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a Deobandi Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic fundamentalist, m ...
called for "resolving the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means." Chargé d'Affaires of Afghanistan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations Naseer Ahmad Faiq
Naseer Ahmad Faiq is the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations since 17 December 2021.
Since December 2021, Afghanistan U.N. Mission diplomat Faiq has served as Afghanistan's chargé d’affaires
Chargé () is a commun ...
, who represents the country's internationally-recognized former government, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was a presidential republic that ruled Afghanistan from 2004 to 2021. The state was established to replace the Afghan interim (2001–2002) and transitional (2002–2004) administrations, which were formed ...
, voted for United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, condemning the invasion.
* – Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen
Abul Kalam Abdul Momen ( bn, আবুল কালাম আব্দুল মোমেন; born 23 August 1947), popularly known as AK Abdul Momen, is a Bangladeshi economist, diplomat, and politician who has served as Minister of Foreign Affai ...
called for the conflict to be peacefully resolved in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina Wazed (''née'' Sheikh Hasina ; ; bn, শেখ হাসিনা ওয়াজেদ, Shēkh Hasinā, , born 28 September 1947) is a Bangladeshi politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Prime Minister ...
asked all concerned persons to observe the Russia-Ukraine war situation. Russia is building a megaproject in Bangladesh, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
( bn, রূপপুর পারমাণবিক বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র) will be a 2.4 GWe nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. The nuclear power plant is being constructed at Rooppur of Ish ...
. Russia provides all the funding and logistics for this project, but experts suspect that the war could disrupt the work. Even though 77% of the construction work is already done, the war situation could prolong the rest of the construction. The Soviet Union
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
, of which Russia and Ukraine were both part, helped Bangladesh gain independence from Pakistan in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, by providing extensive military and diplomatic assistance. The neutral stance the country took in the invasion was believed to be related to concerns that Bangladesh itself did not want to be threatened by larger neighbours.
* – Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji said that the foreign ministry In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
is "studying and assessing the impacts the war will have on Bhutan"; adding that there are no Bhutanese in Ukraine.
* – Brunei condemned the invasion, calling for the situation to be resolved without force.
* − Prime Minister Hun Sen
Hun Sen (; km, ហ៊ុន សែន, ; born 5 August 1952) is a Cambodian politician and former military commander who has served as the prime minister of Cambodia since 1985. He is the longest-serving head of government of Cambodia, and o ...
said that only through peaceful negotiation, and not war, could any disagreements be resolved.
* – Chinese leader and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
The general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party () is the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since 1989, the CCP general secretary has been the paramount leader o ...
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping ( ; ; ; born 15 June 1953) is a Chinese politician who has served as the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and thus as the paramount leader of China, s ...
spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on 25 February, calling for Russia and Ukraine to resolve the issue through negotiation. Putin told Xi that "Russia is willing to conduct high-level negotiations with Ukraine." China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said that "We believe that all countries should solve international disputes by peaceful means in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter." In a 25 February statement, PRC Foreign Minister and State Councilor
A state councillor () is a high-ranking position within the State Council, the executive organ of the Chinese government (comparable to a cabinet). It ranks immediately below the Vice-Premiers and above the ministers of various departments. Si ...
Wang Yi said that Ukraine's territory and sovereignty should be respected and urged talks as soon as possible. Ambassador to Ukraine Fan Xianrong and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian
Zhao Lijian (; born 10 November 1972) is a Chinese politician and the deputy director of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department. He is the 31st spokesperson since the position was established in 1983. He joined the foreig ...
echoed the sentiment in March 2022. Various state media in Beijing quoted Scholz's description of the day of invasion as "a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe." China criticized sanctions against Russia, and said it understood Russia's 'security concerns' over NATO's eastward expansion. China's Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng claimed that if NATO "enlargement goes further, it would be approaching the 'outskirts of Moscow' where a missile could hit the Kremlin within seven or eight minutes."
* – Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Narendra Damodardas Modi (; born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and is the Member of Parliament from ...
appealed for an immediate cessation of violence in a phone call to Putin on 24 February. He also spoke with Zelenskyy on the 26th of February without ascribing responsibility for the violence. The Indian government refrained from taking a stand or criticizing Russia. India was also worked on trading with Russia using rupees
Rupee is the common name for the currencies of
India, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, and of former currencies of Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (as the Gulf rupee), British East Africa, B ...
to circumvent sanctions. India is the only member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as the Quad, is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States that is maintained by talks between member countries. The dialogue was initiated in ...
not to ban Russian exports. The Ukrainian ambassador to India, Igor Polikha, told reporters in India that he was "deeply dissatisfied" with India's position. India also abstained from the United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the Russian invasion. Many Western capitals criticised India for its refusal to condemn the invasion. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (; born 19 June 1964) is a British politician, writer and journalist who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as F ...
and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida
is a Japanese politician serving as Prime Minister of Japan and president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 2021. A member of the House of Representatives, he previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017 and ...
contacted Modi and tried to persuade him to condemn the invasion. The UK also expressed concern over India's rupee-ruble trade arrangements. A majority of Indians supported the decision to abstain from criticising Russia. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that India would pursue an independent foreign policy and consider options in the current market to meet its energy needs. He added that imports from Russia were just a fraction of India's overall imports.
* – Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
spokesman Teuku Faizasyah expressed concern about the conflict. Indonesia urged Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. A ministry press release said that the attack on Ukraine was "unacceptable". Indonesian President
The President of the Republic of Indonesia ( id, Presiden Republik Indonesia) is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Indonesia. The president leads the executive branch of the Indonesian government and is ...
Joko Widodo
Joko Widodo (; born 21 June 1961), popularly known as Jokowi, is an Indonesian politician and businessman who is the 7th and current president of Indonesia. Elected in July 2014, he was the first Indonesian president not to come from an elite ...
also tweeted "Stop war. War brings suffering to mankind and endangers the world." The People's Representative Council
The People's Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia ( id, Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia, DPR-RI), also known as the House of Representatives, is one of two elected chambers of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), ...
also issued a condemnation statement.
* – Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi
Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati ( fa, سید ابراهیم رئیسالساداتی; born 14 December 1960), commonly known as Ebrahim Raisi ( fa, ابراهیم رئیسی ), is an Iranian principlist politician, Muslim jurist, and the eight ...
phoned Putin to support stopping NATO expansion. Irani Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian ( fa, حسین امیرعبداللهیان; born 1964) is an Iranian politician, diplomat and current foreign minister of Iran. He was formerly the deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs from 2011 to 2016.
...
tweeted, "The #Ukraine crisis is rooted in NATO's provocations. We don't believe that resorting to war is a solution. Imperative to establish ceasefire & to find a political and democratic resolution." Mohammad Javad Larijani
Mohammad-Javad Ardeshir Larijani ( fa, محمدجواد لاریجانی; born ) is an Iranian conservative politician and former diplomat. He is currently a top adviser to the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in foreign affairs and secretary of High Co ...
, secretary of the High Council for Human Rights in Iran, told IRNA that the Islamic Republic had not backed the military operation against Ukraine, but Tehran "has not closed eyes on the plots hatched by the US and its allies." Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei ( fa, سید علی حسینی خامنهای, ; born 19 April 1939) is a Twelver Shia ''marja and the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran, in office since 1989. He was previously the third president o ...
said that "in Ukraine, we are in favour of stopping the war", and that the crisis showed that the West could not be trusted, and its support for "administrations and politicians that have been installed by them" was a "mirage". He also implied that the Ukrainian government lacked the full support of its people. He blamed US policies for the invasion and accused Washington of meddling in the "internal affairs of the country, setting up demonstrations against the government, creating velvet revolutions, creating colour coup d'etats"
*
** Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Naftali Bennett ( he, נַפְתָּלִי בֶּנֶט, Transliterated: , ; born 25 March 1972) is an Israeli politician who served as the 13th prime minister of Israel from 13 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, and as the 3rd Alternate Prime Minist ...
called for a halt to the violence and pledged humanitarian aid to Ukraine, also offering to mediate and broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Foreign Affairs Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid
Yair Lapid ( he, יָאִיר לַפִּיד, transliterated: , ; born 5 November 1963) is an Israeli politician and former journalist who has been serving as the 14th prime minister of Israel since 1 July 2022. He previously served as the alt ...
called the attack "a grave 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."
** On 27 February 2022, Israeli Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked
Ayelet Shaked (; he, אַיֶּילֶת שָׁקֵד; born 7 May 1976) is an Israeli politician, activist, and software engineer currently serving as Minister of Interior. She served as a member of the Knesset for The Jewish Home from 2013 to ...
declared a two-month visa extension for all Ukrainian tourists in Israel, so they could receive temporary asylum from the war in Ukraine. On 8 March 2022, Shaked announced an official policy of hosting Israel's Ukrainian refugees who were not eligible for aliyah
Aliyah (, ; he, עֲלִיָּה ''ʿălīyyā'', ) is the immigration of Jews from Jewish diaspora, the diaspora to, historically, the geographical Land of Israel, which is in the modern era chiefly represented by the Israel, State of Israel ...
. All 16,000 Ukrainians in Israel before the invasion who were not citizens would receive an automatic three-month extension of their residence visa in Israel. If the war continued beyond that, they would be able to stay in Israel automatically and even receive work permits and the right to Israeli medical insurance. An Israeli pension for non-Israeli Ukrainian adults who would not be able to work in the future was also being considered. It also decided to cancel the economic guarantee requirement for Israeli citizens who hosted Ukrainians in their homes, and opened an additional quota of 5,000 Ukrainian refugees. Any Ukrainian would be able to submit an online application on the Foreign Ministry website and until the quota was filled, in the absence of other issues, would be able to come to Israel temporarily. Israeli citizens would be able to apply to invite Ukrainian citizens, up to one nuclear family per applicant, and these would receive as much priority as possible. In total, Israel planned to host 25,000 refugees for the duration of the war. On 13 March, Shaked announced that anyone with a relative in Israel would be exempt from the quota and still would receive legal refugee status.
** On 3 July 2022, the Israeli Supreme Court abolished the quotas on Ukrainian refugees and allowed unlimited entry of refugees into Israel. The President of Ukraine welcomed the decision as a sign of "a true, developed democracy"
* – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
is a Japanese politician serving as Prime Minister of Japan and president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 2021. A member of the House of Representatives, he previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017 and ...
condemned the invasion and announced that it would cooperate with the United States on further sanctions against Russia. On 25 February, Japan implemented new sanctions, including an export ban on semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material which has an electrical resistivity and conductivity, electrical conductivity value falling between that of a electrical conductor, conductor, such as copper, and an insulator (electricity), insulator, such as glas ...
s and other high-tech products, and froze the assets of three Russian banks, but later stated that it would not confiscate the frozen Russian foreign reserves parked with the Bank of Japan. It also considered extending sanctions to Belarus, because of its support for the invasion. On 26 February, Japan agreed to increase deterrence efforts with the U.S., with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi
is a Japanese politician who currently serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs since November 2021. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives for the Yamaguchi 3rd district since 2021.
Early life ...
stating that the "impact of this will not stop in Europe." Japan–Russia relations
Japan–Russia relations (russian: Российско-японские отношения, ''Rossiysko-yaponskiye otnosheniya''; ja, 日露関係, ''Nichiro kankei'') or
Japanese–Russian relations are the bilateral international relations bet ...
had previously been characterized by Japanese attempts to avoid antagonizing Russia, particularly in that the Kuril Islands dispute
The Kuril Islands dispute, known as the Northern Territories dispute in Japan, is a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over the ownership of the four southernmost Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands are a chain of islands that stretch b ...
was Russia's only territorial dispute in Asia. However, Japan was increasingly concerned about the geopolitical implications of the annexation on China and Taiwan.
* − The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan urged the international community and the parties to spare no effort to promote restraint and de-escalation, and called for peaceful settlement of the conflict through dialogue to restore security and stability in the region.
* – Kazakhstan, a neighbour and ally of Russia, reportedly denied a request for its troops to join Russian forces in the invasion. The former Soviet republic also said it would not recognizing the Russia-created breakaway republics, the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic, NBC News
NBC News is the news division of the American broadcast television network NBC. The division operates under NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, a division of NBCUniversal, which is, in turn, a subsidiary of Comcast. The news division's var ...
reported. The Kazakh defense ministry insisted the matter had not even come up. A statement issued on its Telegram channel on 27 February said: "A request to send Kazakh military to Ukraine or any other country hasn't been received and, correspondingly, hasn't been considered." Kazakhstan avoided criticising Russia's move to invade a fellow ex-Soviet republic however. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev ( kk, Қасым-Жомарт Кемелұлы Тоқаев, Qasym-Jomart Kemelūly Toqaev ; born 17 May 1953) is a Kazakh politician and diplomat who is currently serving as the President of Kazakhstan since 12 J ...
stated that his country would not recognize Luhansk and Donetsk Republics, which he considers to be quasi-states, because if the right of nations to self-determination was realized on the entire globe, over 500 or 600 states would emerge in the world instead of present 193, and it would result in chaos.
* – North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a commentary on 26 February titled "The United States must not undermine the foundation of international peace and stability", ascribing the armed conflict to US "high-handedness and arbitrariness," and accusing Washington of pursuing "military supremacy" in disregard of Russian security concerns. In a post on the foreign ministry website, Ri Ji-song, a researcher at the Society for International Politics Study, made the remarks—the North's first public mention of the conflict following Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier that week. "The root cause of the Ukrainian crisis also lies in the high-handedness and arbitrariness of the U.S. which has held on solely to the unilateral sanction and pressure while pursuing only global hegemony and military supremacy in disregard of the legitimate demand of Russia for its security," Ri wrote. The Yonhap News Agency quoted a North Korean studies professor at Ewha University in Seoul as calling the post a "cautious" official response from Pyongyang, since it was released in the name of an individual.
* – President Moon Jae-in
Moon Jae-in (; ; born 24 January 1953) is a South Korean former politician, civil servant and lawyer who served as the 12th president of South Korea between 2017 and 2022. Prior to his presidency, he served as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs an ...
said that South Korea would join sanctions against Russia. He said: "The use of armed forces causing human casualties cannot be justified under any circumstances". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The Korean government strongly condemns Russia's armed invasion against Ukraine as a violation of the principles of the UN Charter" and "the Korean government will support and join the international community's efforts, including economic sanctions, to curb armed invasion". On 1 March, South Korea announced it would stop all transactions with seven main Russian banks and their affiliates, and restrict the purchase of Russian treasury bonds. In April 2022, South Korea turned down Ukraine's request for ground-based systems targeting aircraft and ballistic missiles, citing its "principled stance" of not providing lethal hardware. At the time, Ukraine had already been provided with approximately 25,000 anti-air and 60,000 anti-tank systems by the U.S. and its allies.
* – Kuwait participated in the US-led joint statement following a vote on a UN Security Council resolution on Russia's aggression.
* – The Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan called on Russia and Ukraine to negotiate. "We're following the development of the situation in Ukraine with dismay and concern. Proceeding from our historically friendly relations with the peoples of Russia and Ukraine, we hope that the parties will achieve peace promptly, including by means of creating new formats and mechanisms of the conflict settlement at the negotiating table to prevent further casualties and damage," the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
* − The Lao PDR government called on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and pursue efforts to deescalate and supported efforts to find a peaceful settlement through diplomatic means.
* – The Lebanese Foreign Ministry on 24 February condemned Russia's invasion, and called on Moscow to "immediately halt military operations." Russia's embassy in Lebanon expressed surprise at this condemnation, releasing a statement that "The statement... surprised us he Russian embassyby violating the policy of dissociation and by taking one side against another in these events, noting that Russia spared no effort in contributing to the advancement and stability of the Lebanese Republic".
* – Prime Minister Ismail Sabri expressed concern over the "escalation of conflict in Ukraine". He called for dialogue and "peace and security". Independent news portal Malaysiakini
''Malaysiakini'' (meaning in English: "Malaysia Now") is an online news portal published in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil. Malaysiakini receives over 2.3 million page-views per day on desktop and mobile. Alexa ranked ''malaysiakini.com'' ...
noted that the statement lacked forceful language and did not mention Russia or call the conflict as an "invasion", prompting a response accusing the news portal of diverting from "the gist of the press statement". On 27 February, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry denied a report by the ''South China Morning Post
The ''South China Morning Post'' (''SCMP''), with its Sunday edition, the ''Sunday Morning Post'', is a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper owned by Alibaba Group. Founded in 1903 by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham, it has remained ...
'' that it had "bungled" the evacuation of Malaysian nationals from Ukraine by forcing them to travel to Poland in private vehicles to escape the Russian invasion, after reports that the chartered bus scheduled to pick them up failed to arrive. This was followed by allegations that the Malaysian government had dismissed the possibility of a Russian invasion as a "Western narrative". At the UN emergency session, Malaysia's representative announced it would vote in favor of the draft resolution condemning the invasion.
* – Maldivian Deputy of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Humaid outlined plans to evacuate Maldivians in Ukraine.
* – Battsetseg Batmunkh, Mongolia's foreign minister, said the government was observing events with concern. She noted that "if the situation continued to escalate it may contribute negatively to world peace and stability", and called on the parties to quickly negotiate a ceasefire.
* – The spokesperson for Myanmar
Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...
's State Administration Council
The State Administration Council ( my, နိုင်ငံတော်စီမံအုပ်ချုပ်ရေးကောင်စီ; abbreviated SAC or နစက) is the military junta currently governing Myanmar, established by Comm ...
, Zaw Min Tun
Zaw Min Tun ( my, ဇော်မင်းထွန်း; born 20 May 1992) is a Burmese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Malaysia Super League club Penang and the captain of the Myanmar national team. He was the bronz ...
, supported Russia, stating that it "was acting to protect its sovereignty" and praised Russia's role in "balancing global power". The Minister of International Cooperation of the exiled
''Exiled'' () is a 2006 Hong Kong action drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Nick Cheung, Josie Ho, Roy Cheung and Lam Suet, with special appearances by Richie Jen and Simon Yam. The action ...
National Unity Government of Myanmar
The National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar ( my, အမျိုးသားညီညွတ်ရေး အစိုးရ; abbreviated NUG) is a Myanmar government in exile formed by the Committee Representing Pyidau ...
, Dr. Sasa, said "The unprovoked, unjustified attacks on Ukraine by Russia are inexcusable and unacceptable."
* – Nepal opposed the invasion and said principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected.
* – Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi ( ur}; born 5 October 1952) is a Pakistani politician and former Cricket captain who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to until April 2022, when he was ousted through a no-confidenc ...
, said that conflict was not in anyone's interest. Khan also underlined Pakistan's belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. After an appeal from 22 diplomatic missions for Pakistan to condemn Russia at the UN General Assembly was released to the public, Khan hit out at Western envoys over their inaction over Kashmir
Kashmir () is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, the term encompas ...
, said supporting NATO in Afghanistan had backfired for Pakistan, and asked why no letter was written to appeal to India, which had also abstained.
* – The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to reaffirm its commitment to peaceful dialogue and "more than words" and cited the UN General Assembly's Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. committed to going to the Ukrainian border to personally oversee the repatriation of Filipinos in Ukraine. The Philippines later said it would vote to condemn the invasion at the emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...
. President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to Putin, who is also his personal friend, on 23 May to rein in Russian armed forces following reports of civilians deaths, and to assure safety for those fleeing the area. He acknowledged the conflict was a war against a sovereign nation rather than a "special military operation".
* – Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ( ar, تميم بن حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني; born 3 June 1980, Doha, Qatar) is the Emir of Qatar who succeeded his father, Sheikh Hamad, after Hamad abdicated in his favour.
Tamim is the fourth son ...
called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the dispute through constructive dialogue and diplomatic methods. He cautioned against further escalation.
* – Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman
Wendy Ruth Sherman (born June 7, 1949) is an American diplomat who is serving as the United States Deputy Secretary of State since April 2021. She was a professor of the practice of public leadership and director of the Center for Public Leaders ...
on the first day of the invasion discussed a "strong international response to support Ukrainian sovereignty", according to the U.S. Department of State website. Saudi Arabia remained committed to the OPEC+ agreement, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud ( ar, محمد بن سلمان آل سعود, translit=Muḥammad bin Salmān Āl Su‘ūd; born 31 August 1985), colloquially known by his initials MBS or MbS, is Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. H ...
told French President Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron (; born 21 December 1977) is a French politician who has served as President of France since 2017. ''Ex officio'', he is also one of the two Co-Princes of Andorra. Prior to his presidency, Macron served as Minister of Econ ...
on 27 February, in an endorsement for the bloc's alliance with Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
* – Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
's Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
said Singapore "strongly condemns any unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country under any pretext," and that "the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected." "All parties concerned should continue to pursue dialogue, including diplomatic means, towards a peaceful settlement of the dispute, in accordance with international law, and avoid activities that will further raise tensions in the region." Local news outlets reported that Singapore might join international sanctions on Russia, and was unlikely to take a direct economic hit from export curbs on Russia. On 28 February 2022, Singapore announced sanctions against Russia, export controls on items "that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine to inflict harm or to subjugate the Ukrainians" and moved to "block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia". The move was a first by a Southeast Asian country and a departure from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' refusal to condemn the invasion.
* – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Government of Sri Lanka was deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Ukraine and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and work towards the immediate cessation of hostilities, to maintain peace, security and stability in the region, and emphasised the need for diplomacy and sincere dialogue.
* – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Bashar Hafez al-Assad, ', Levantine pronunciation: ; (, born 11 September 1965) is a Syrian politician who is the 19th president of Syria, since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and the ...
praised the Russian invasion as a "correction of history" and accused Western nations of using "dirty methods to support terrorists in Syria and Nazis in Ukraine".
* – President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen (; born 31 August 1956) is a Taiwanese politician serving as president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 2016. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Tsai is the first female president of Taiwan. She served as ...
stated "our government condemns Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and urges all parties to continue to resolve the disputes through peaceful and rational means." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
announced that Taiwan would join international sanctions against Russia and expressed regret over Russia's decision to "use force and intimidation in bullying others instead of resolving disputes through peaceful diplomatic negotiations." Taiwan moved to block Russian banks from the SWIFT system and sent 27 tonnes of military aid. Later, President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President
A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on t ...
William Lai
William Lai Ching-te (; born 6 October 1959) is a Taiwanese politician who has been the Vice President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 2020. He served as a legislator in the Legislative Yuan from 1999 to 2010, and as Mayor of Tainan from ...
and Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier.
A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
Su Tseng-chang
Hope Su Tseng-chang (; born 28 July 1947) is a Taiwanese politician serving as premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 2019, and previously from 2006 to 2007. He was the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party in 2005 and from 2012 ...
announced they would each donate one month of salary towards humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
* – Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
expressed "deep concern" and said that it supported "peaceful settlement to the situation through dialogue."
* – Timor-Leste was one of 87 signatories to the UN letter condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
* – The United Arab Emirates abstained from the vote on the U.N. Security Council resolution deploring the invasion, calling it a "foregone conclusion". A senior Emirati diplomat Anwar Gargash
Anwar Mohammed Gargash ( ar, أنور محمد قرقاش; born 28 March 1959, in Dubai) is an Emirati politician who served as the minister of state for foreign affairs between February 2008 and February 2021. Since February 2021, he serves as a ...
said that the United Arab Emirates "believes that taking sides would only lead to more violence". The United Arab Emirates representative to the UN stating "the UAE.. articulates its firm position on the need to de-escalate and find a peaceful solution to the crisis between the parties concerned."
* – Press Secretary to the President of Uzbekistan Sherzod Asadov said in a Facebook post: "The President of Russia informed the head of our state of the reasons and circumstances of the decision to launch a special operation. In his turn, the leader of Uzbekistan expressed hope that the parties will soon find mutually acceptable ways to resolve the situation and prevent its further escalation. I would like to emphasize that Uzbekistan takes a balanced, neutral position on this matter." The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Poland is evacuating its citizens from Ukraine through Poland, Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan said. Upon reports of Uzbek nationals fighting in Ukraine, Ministry of Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry.
Lists of current ministries of justice
Named "Ministry"
* Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia)
* Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan)
* Ministry of Just ...
stated that any Uzbek national found to have enlisted in the service of a foreign army or police service could face a prison term of up to five years. On 17 March, Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov
Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov ( uz, Abdulaziz Xafizovich Kamilov; russian: Абдулазиз Хафизович Камилов, Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov; born November 16, 1947) is an Uzbek politician who was Uzbekistan's Minister of Forei ...
said that he did not recognize the independence of the LPR and the DPR, supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine and wanted a peaceful solution to the situation. He added that Uzbekistan had provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine and would continue this work. He also noted that the country intended to cooperate on both sides of the conflict.
* – The spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lê Thị Thu Hằng, stated Vietnam "calls on parties concerned in the Ukraine crisis to exercise self-restraint, enhance dialogue efforts and step up diplomatic measures to peacefully settle differences with respect for the United Nations Charter and fundamental principles of international law, thus contributing to ensuring peace, security, and stability in the region and the world."
Europe
* –President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
Aslan Bzhaniya stated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "absolutely justified."
* – President of Albania Ilir Meta
Ilir Rexhep Meta (; born 24 March 1969) is an Albanian politician. He served as President of Albania from 24 July 2017 to 24 July 2022.
Previously Meta served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and he was Speaker of the Parliament of Albania f ...
convened the National Security Council and issued a statement to "strongly condemn Russia's military attack on Ukraine" as an "unprovoked and unjustifiable escalation" while expressing sorrow for lives lost and "full solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and its democratic institutions". Similar statements were made earlier by Prime Minister Edi Rama
Edi Rama (born Edvin Kristaq Rama, 4 July 1964) is an Albanian politician, painter, writer, former university lecturer, publicist and former basketball player, who has served as the 33rd and current Prime Minister of Albania since 2013 and chairm ...
on Twitter, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka
Olta Xhaçka (born 25 December 1979) is an Albanian politician and Socialist Party member of Parliament. She has been the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs since January 2021. She served as Albanian Minister of Social Welfare and Youth bet ...
, and Ambassador to the UN Ferit Hoxha
Ferit Hoxha (born 22 February 1967 in Koplik, Albania) is the Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, in New York City. He previously served in the role from 2009 to 2015, was succeeded by Besiana Kadare, and again assumed t ...
at the Security Council meeting, joined the United States in calling for a UN vote on a resolution condemning Russian actions, with the intention of forcing Russia to veto. After a NATO summit, Rama said that Albania was ready to welcome a few thousand Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.
* – Prime Minister Xavier Espot appealed for peace, saying that "war should be no recourse". On 2 March, Andorra joined economic sanctions against Russia. Andorra had never previously applied sanctions towards another country.
* − The Armenian MFA spokesman on 23 February expressed "hope that the existing problems between the two friendly states w uldbe resolved through diplomatic dialogue", and declared its readiness to accept refugees.
* − President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan
Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan ( hy, Արայիկ Վլադիմիրի Հարությունյան; born 14 December 1973) is an Armenian politician who has been serving as the President of Artsakh since 2020. He was formerly the 1st State Minister fr ...
welcomed the decision of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. The Government of the Artsakh Republic sent 14 tons of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Kyiv and Zaporozhye regions through Russian peacekeeping troops in Artsakh.
* – Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer
Karl Nehammer (; born 18 October 1972) is an Austrian politician who is the 32nd and current Chancellor of Austria since 6 December 2021. A member of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), he previously was Minister of the Interior from 2020 to 20 ...
said "There is war in Europe again", condemned Russia's attack and declared Austria's solidarity with Ukraine.
* − The president of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Republic is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of th ...
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev ( az, İlham Heydər oğlu Əliyev, ; born 24 December 1961) is the fourth president of Azerbaijan, serving in the post since 31 October 2003.
The son and second child of the former Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev, ...
expressed his support for territorial integrity of Ukraine, and urged his Ukrainian counterparts to “never to agree to the violation of your territorial integrity”. Ilham Aliyev also offered to organize talks between Ukraine and Russia, instructed Azerbaijan's State Oil Company SOCAR
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic ( az, Azərbaycan Respublikası Dövlət Neft Şirkəti), largely known as SOCAR is fully state-owned national oil and gas company headquartered in Baku, Azerbaijan. The company produces oil and na ...
to provide free fuel to Ukraine's ambulances and State Emergency Service
The State Emergency Service (SES) is the name used by a number of organisations in Australia that provide assistance during and after major incidents. Specifically, the service deals with floods, storms and tsunamis, but can also assist in oth ...
and sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
* – Prime Minister Alexander De Croo
Alexander De Croo (born 3 November 1975) is a Belgian politician and businessman who has served as the prime minister of Belgium since October 2020.
De Croo was born in Vilvoorde, Flemish Brabant, and studied business engineering at the Vrij ...
said the EU needed "Russian sanctions that bite", especially against the "ruling elite". In early April, three Ukrainian families were to be placed in two of the Belgian royal family
Belgium is a constitutional, hereditary, and popular monarchy. The monarch is titled king or queen of the Belgians ( nl, Koning(in) der Belgen, french: Roi / Reine des Belges}, german: König(in) der Belgier) and serves as the country's ...
's properties, managed by the Royal Trust, while a third property would be used for "collective accommodation of Ukrainian refugees".
*
** Tripartite Presidency Member Željko Komšić
Željko Komšić (; born 20 January 1964) is a Bosnian politician and diplomat who is the 6th and current Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is also its current chairman, since 2021. Previously, he was a member of the na ...
said Bosnia would support Ukraine.
** Croat and Bosniak members of the tripartite presidency, Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović
Šefik Džaferović (; born 9 September 1957) is a Bosnian politician who is the 7th and current Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From 2002 to 2018, he was a member of the national House of Representatives. A high ranki ...
, issued separate statements condemning the Russian invasion. The Serb member Milorad Dodik
Milorad Dodik ( sr-cyrl, Милорад Додик, ; born 12 March 1959) is a Bosnian Serb politician serving as the 8th president of Republika Srpska since November 2022. Previously, he served as the 7th Serb member of the Presidency of Bo ...
did not, instead stating that Bosnia and Herzegovina was neutral. He'd said the previous day that events showed it was good Bosnia and Herzegovina had not joined NATO, and that the country would not support sanctions.
** Foreign Minister Bisera Turković
Bisera Turković (; born 8 December 1954) is a Bosnian diplomat and politician serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2019. She is the current vice-chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, serving alongside ...
said: "Bosnia and Herzegovina remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we call for an immediate end to fighting and shelling! OSCE principles, security and international law are under attack today. Hostility and suffering of innocent civilians must end immediately". Turković called on Russia and Belarus to refrain from using force in the interests of peace, and regional and global stability.
* – Bulgaria condemned the invasion and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov
Kiril Petkov Petkov ( bg, Кирил Петков Петков; born 17 April 1980) is a Bulgarian politician, economist, and entrepreneur, who served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from December 2021 to August 2022. He is the co-leader of We ...
said: "We see that this aggression was not provoked by the Ukrainian side and such actions in Europe are inadmissible".
** Bulgarian Minister of Defence Stefan Yanev
Stefan Dinchev Yanev ( bg, Стефан Динчев Янев) is a retired Bulgarian Army Brigade general and a politician. He was from 12 May to 13 December 2021 acting deputy prime minister, acting minister of defense and caretaker government ...
was sacked for insisting it was wrong to describe it as a war, saying it was an "operation." He also said there was no need for Bulgaria—a member of both the EU and NATO—to adopt a "pro-Russian, pro-American or pro-European position."
* – Prime Minister Andrej Plenković
Andrej Plenković ( ; born 8 April 1970) is a Croatian politician who has been serving as the prime minister of Croatia since 19 October 2016. He was previously one of eleven Croatian members of the European Parliament, serving from Croatia's ...
released a statement on Twitter saying: "We strongly condemn Russia's aggression and invasion on Ukraine. This unprovoked attack is a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and international law". Plenković also met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Croatia, noting that Croatia would support the EU sanctions package, and stood ready to provide humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine.
* – President Nicos Anastasiades
Nicos Anastasiades ( el, Νίκος Αναστασιάδης ; born 27 September 1946) is a Cypriot politician who is the current president of Cyprus since 2013. He was re-elected in 2018. Previously, he was the leader of Democratic Rally betwe ...
tweeted his condemnation "in the strongest possible terms" adding "I must say that we witness with great disappointment what is happening in violation of international law and we cannot but condemn as a country similar actions that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent country". Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis
Ioannis Kasoulides ( el, Ιωάννης Κασουλίδης; born 10 August 1948 in Nicosia, Cyprus) is a Cypriot politician, party member of DISY and current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus. He has served in the same position from 199 ...
called for a ceasefire and said that "these are military operations within Europe, something we have avoided since the end of WWII".
*
** President Miloš Zeman
Miloš Zeman (; born 28 September 1944) is a Czech politician serving as the third and current President of the Czech Republic since 2013. He previously served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 1998 to 2002. As leader of the Czec ...
on 24 February called the invasion "an unprovoked act of aggression" and said that "Russia has committed a crime against peace", calling for harsh sanctions. He said he had been "wrong" to insist until a few days earlier that Russia would not invade Ukraine.
** Prime Minister Petr Fiala
Petr Fiala (; born 1 September 1964) is a Czech politician and political scientist who has been the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic since November 2021 and leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) since 2014. He previously served as the ...
said his government had withdrawn its agreement to Russian consulates in Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary (; german: Karlsbad, formerly also spelled ''Carlsbad'' in English) is a spa town, spa city in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 46,000 inhabitants. It lies on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá. ...
and Brno
Brno ( , ; german: Brünn ) is a city in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. Located at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, Brno has about 380,000 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in the Czech Republic ...
, suspended the operation of the consulates of the Czech Republic in St. Petersburg
Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
and Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg ( ; rus, Екатеринбург, p=jɪkətʲɪrʲɪnˈburk), alternatively romanized as Ekaterinburg and formerly known as Sverdlovsk ( rus, Свердло́вск, , svʲɪrˈdlofsk, 1924–1991), is a city and the administra ...
, and stopped issuing visas for Russian citizens. He also said that the republic would insist on the adoption of the strictest anti-Russian sanctions.
* – Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
Mette Frederiksen (; born 19 November 1977) is a Danish politician who has been Prime Minister of Denmark since June 2019, and Leader of the Social Democrats since June 2015. The second woman to hold either office, she is also the youngest prime ...
said that it was a "dark day for peace around the world", while stating that her government was ready to accept Ukrainian refugees.
** – Prime Minister, Bárður á Steig Nielsen
Bárður á Steig Nielsen (; born 16 April 1972) is a Faroese politician and businessman who serves as leader of the Union Party since 2015 and was prime minister from 2019 to 2022. He is also goalkeeper of the VÍF Vestmanna handball team and ...
said: "It's a sad day and our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people. This is not only an attack on Ukraine but also on European peace. The Faroe Islands strongly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The attack is a clear violation of international law, which is meant to maintain justice, security and stability."
** —Greenland's Prime Minister, Múte B. Egede, condemned the invasion, called it meaningless, and announced that Greenland would join international sanctions against Russia.
* – Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
Kaja Kallas (; born 18 June 1977) is an Estonian politician who has been serving as the prime minister of Estonia since 2021. The leader of the Reform Party since 2018, she was a Member of Parliament from 2019 to 2021, and previously between 2 ...
called Russia a "threat to the whole of Europe". Riigikogu
The Riigikogu (; from Estonian ''riigi-'', of the state, and ''kogu'', assembly) is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. In addition to approving legislation, the Parliament appoints high officials, including the Prime Minister and Chief Jus ...
, the parliament of Estonia, also passed two statements on the mobilization of Russia's pre-invasion forces and the start of the attack against Ukraine in 2022, in which it expressed support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemned the war started by the Russian Federation.
*
** President Sauli Niinistö
Sauli Väinämö Niinistö (; born 24 August 1948) is a Finnish politician who has served as president of Finland since March 2012, the 12th person to hold that office.
A lawyer by education, Niinistö was Chairman of the National Coalition Part ...
condemned Russia's attack and President Vladimir Putin, saying "the mask has now come off and only the cold face of war is visible".
** Prime Minister Sanna Marin
Sanna Mirella Marin (; born 16 November 1985) is a Finnish politician who has been serving as the Prime Minister of Finland since 2019. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP), she has been a Parliament of Finland, Member of Pa ...
said Russia's invasion of Ukraine would change the debate around NATO membership within her country, and wrote on Twitter that "The attack is a grave breach of international law and threatens the life of numerous civilians. Finland expresses its solid support to Ukraine and Ukrainians and we are looking for ways to increase this support". On 25 February 2022, a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson threatened "military and political consequences" if Finland attempted to join NATO.
** Niinistö and Marin issued a joint declaration on 12 May declaring that Finland should join NATO.
* – President of France Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with Putin "to stop the fighting and talk to the Ukrainian president" and demanded "an immediate halt to Russian military operations in Ukraine".
*
** President Salome Zourabichvili
Salome Zourabichvili ( ka, სალომე ზურაბიშვილი, ; born 18 March 1952) is a Franco-Georgian political figure and former diplomat who currently serves as the fifth President of Georgia, in office since December 2018 ...
stated that "We are participating in all kinds of international financial sanctions and that's quite something for the Georgian financial sector. At the same time, we are participating in all the international resolutions that have been taken to support Ukraine. We share ith Ukraine
The Ith () is a ridge in Germany's Central Uplands which is up to 439 m high. It lies about 40 km southwest of Hanover and, at 22 kilometres, is the longest line of crags in North Germany.
Geography
Location
The Ith is immediatel ...
a common two-century history of Russian aggression and we know what that means"
** Zourabichvili said that her nation was "shocked" by Russian aggression in Ukraine. She affirmed her "solidarity with the Ukrainian people" and called for a halt in military operations.
**The Georgian government contributed 1 million GEL from its reserve budget to help Ukrainians harmed by Russia's military assault. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the decision and signed the decree authorizing the aid. The funding will be used to purchase medical supplies for Georgia's Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs.
** On 24 February, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili
Shalva Papuashvili ( ka, შალვა პაპუაშვილი; born 26 January 1976) is a Georgian
Georgian may refer to:
Common meanings
* Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country)
** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasi ...
expressed his solidarity with Ukraine and called on the international community to take steps to "stop Russia escalating into a full-scale conflict and ensure the protection of international norms."
**On 27 February 100 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to Ukraine via Poland, including first-aid supplies, over 30 types of pharmaceuticals, oxygen concentrators, and other humanitarian supplies. In addition, Georgia provided blood components, transfusion materials, and diagnostics.
**On 4 March, The Georgian Health Ministry declared that all Ukrainian citizens in Georgia would receive free emergency medical services if needed.
** Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili
Irakli Garibashvili ( ka, ირაკლი ღარიბაშვილი, also transliterated as Gharibashvili; born 28 June 1982) is a Georgian politician and a former business executive who serves as the prime minister of Georgia since 22 ...
said that Georgia's government could not impose separate sanctions against Russia.
** Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani stated that "Military aggression launched by Russia against Ukraine is totally intolerable". He called on international partners to give a strict response to the violation of international law by Russia and ensure the de-escalation of the situation.
** The Ministry of Foreign affairs of Georgia
, nativename_a =
, nativename_r =
, type= Ministry
, seal= Seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.png
, seal_width =
, seal_caption = Logo of the Georgian MFA
, image = Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.png
, image_size ...
expressed extreme concern about developments in Ukraine. According to its statement, Russia's military actions undermined Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.
** Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili said that Georgia was part of every international sanction against Russia
** A Parliamentary delegation of Georgia visited two Ukrainian cities where Papuashvili strongly opposed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The opposition United National Movement (UNM), Georgia's main opposition party, paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on the same day, sending a separate delegation that included party chairman Nika Melia and former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili
Giorgi Margvelashvili ( ka, გიორგი მარგველაშვილი; born 4 September 1969) is a Georgian academic and politician who was the fourth President of Georgia, in office from 17 November 2013 to 16 December 2018.
...
.
* – Annalena Baerbock
Annalena Charlotte Alma Baerbock (; born 15 December 1980) is a German politician of the Alliance 90/The Greens party serving as Germany's minister for foreign affairs since 2021.
From 2018 to January 2022, Baerbock served as co-leader of Allia ...
, minister of foreign affairs, said that the world woke up in a different world. She announced massive sanctions against Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Olaf Scholz (; born ) is a German politician who has served as the chancellor of Germany since 8 December 2021. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, Social Democratic Party (SPD), he previously served as Vice Chancellor of German ...
called the invasion a "serious mistake" of Putin's. Germany initially ruled out sending weapons to Ukraine and prevented Estonia from sending German-made howitzers to Ukraine. Germany said it was sending 5,000 helmets and a field hospital to Ukraine, to which Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko responded, "What will they send next? Pillows?" On 26 February, in what was seen by observers as a reaction to mounting pressure from allies in NATO and EU, Germany reversed itself and allowed Estonia to send nine German-made howitzers and the Netherlands to send 400 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and additionally agreed to send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger anti-aircraft defence systems to Ukraine. At an emergency parliamentary session on 27 February, Scholz spoke of a "new era" that had begun with the Russian invasion. Germany would from then on invest more than the NATO target of two percent of the gross domestic product in defence. 100 billion euros would be made available for investments in the army in 2022. According to ''Bild
''Bild'' (or ''Bild-Zeitung'', ; ) is a German tabloid newspaper published by Axel Springer SE. The paper is published from Monday to Saturday; on Sundays, its sister paper ''Bild am Sonntag'' ("''Bild on Sunday''") is published instead, which ...
'', German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier planned to travel to Kyiv in April 2022 as a signal of solidarity but was snubbed by Ukrainian officials.
*
** President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said that "we strongly condemn the Russian attack on an independent country" as "a clear violation of international law and our values". On 8 March 2022, International Women's Day, Sakellaropoulou appeared at the Hellenic Parliament with a dress in the colors of Ukraine's flag, in tribute to the Ukrainian women affected by the war.
** Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the "revisionist" actions of Russia against Ukraine.
*
** President János Áder said "Hungary was also forced to endure a Hungarian Revolution of 1956, similar (invasion) in 1956". Áder added that "we [Hungary] have done everything we could to urge the leadership in Moscow to remain level-headed and exercise restraint. Unfortunately, we could not succeed because, as it has now become clear, Russia was carrying out a premeditated plan which was followed by the conscious deception of its international partners".
** Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that "together with our EU and NATO allies, we condemn Russia's military attack", adding that sending either troops or military equipment to Ukraine was "out of the question, though we will, of course, provide humanitarian aid".
* – Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "an unacceptable breach of international law."
* – Prime Minister Mario Draghi promised "whatever it takes to restore Ukrainian sovereignty" and said it was "impossible to have meaningful dialogue with Moscow", demanding Russia unconditionally pull its forces back to the internationally established borders.
*
** President Michael D. Higgins called the Russian invasion "unacceptable and immoral" and stated: "This violence must stop. Troops must be withdrawn by Russia. The rise of militarism must end. Full humanitarian access must be given to all civilians in need. Every glimmer of hope through diplomacy must be seized."
** Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the "outrageous" actions of Russia in Ukraine and promised "severe sanctions from EU", while saying: "Our thoughts must be with the innocent people of Ukraine at this, their most difficult hour."
** Tánaiste Leo Varadkar stated that whilst Ireland is Irish neutrality, militarily neutral, "in this conflict, Ireland is not neutral at all", acknowledging the country's "unwavering and unconditional" support for Ukraine. He compared the invasion of Ukraine to the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939, calling Putin "the Hitler of the 21st century".
* – Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the Russian invasion as "the largest military aggression, not only in Europe, since the end of the Second World War", stating "we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and stand together with the EU, NATO, the US, and the UK for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, the country's independence and the right of self-determination for the people of Ukraine", alongside condemnations by the Kosovar parliament. Meanwhile, President Vjosa Osmani said that the people of Kosovo supported Ukrainians "as they face an unprovoked war as a result of Russian aggression", stating on Twitter that "we will work with our allies... Russian hegemony will not triumph. Freedom and democracy will win". A joint statement by Kosovo's president, prime minister and senior ministers furthermore condemned attempts to draw parallels to Kosovo's own declaration of independence from Serbia: "Dictator Putin's effort to refer to the Kosovo case and draw parallel are totally unstable, abusive and an attempt to camouflage the lack of any base or reason for the barbarous attack of its forces against a sovereign state."
* – President of Latvia Egils Levits strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling for "all possible support, including weapons" to Ukraine and "the harshest possible sanctions" against Russia. In a later interview he called the invasion the "beginning of the end for Putin". On 26 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia suspended issuing visas to Russian nationals with the exception of humanitarian visas. Two days later, Saeima approved legal amendments allowing Latvian nationals to voluntarily fight on the Ukrainian side against the Russian invasion. On 4 March, Riga City Council renamed a section of the street in front of the Russian Embassy to Ukrainian Independence Street. Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš expressed that the Economy of Latvia, Latvian economy and exports should continue to transition away from Russia, and the dependence on Russian energy imports should be reduced as soon as possible.
*
** Liechtenstein condemned the invasion in a statement published on the government's official website.
** The government of Liechtenstein promised Swiss franc, CHF 500,000 from its existing International Humanitarian Cooperation and Development Budget to humanitarian projects for those affected by the war.
* strongly condemned the invasion and called for military, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda declared a state of emergency, ordering the NATO country's armed forces to deploy along its borders in response to "possible disturbances and provocations due to large military forces massed in Russia and Belarus".
*
** Prime Minister Xavier Bettel condemned the invasion on Twitter.
** Foreign minister Jean Asselborn, in an interview with local radio, said the "physical elimination" of Putin was potentially the only way out of the war. He later described his remarks as a "slip of the tongue" and an emotional reaction to having just heard of Russia's indiscriminate attacks on Kharkiv.
* – Prime Minister Robert Abela said that during the meeting of European leaders Malta had "spoken in favour of peace in Ukraine", adding that doing so "did not compromise Malta's position of neutrality", as Malta's constitution affirms the island as a Neutral country, neutral state adhering to a policy of non-alignment.
* – President Maia Sandu condemned the act of war, calling it "a blatant breach of international law and of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity." She added that Moldova was ready to accept tens of thousands of people fleeing Ukraine after the Russian attack and vowed to keep the borders open to help.
*
** Albert II, Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II affirmed his support for Ukraine in a statement: "The Principality reaffirms its support of international laws, and to the sovereignty, the integrity and the independence of states." and "Monaco is at the side of the Ukrainian population and human rights."
** Minister of State (Monaco), Minister of State Pierre Dartout announced his concern and said that Monaco was on the side of the Ukrainian people. He urged the Russians to cease their military operation immediately and for dialogue to resume.
** The Monaco Royal Palace said in a statement "The Principality has adopted and implemented, without delay, procedures for freezing funds and economic sanctions identical to those taken by most European States."
* – President Milo Đukanović condemned the Russian invasion, saying it "violates all fundamental principles of international law, undermines European security, and endangers its stability." Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović also tweeted that Montenegro stands with NATO and EU partners.
* – Prime Minister Mark Rutte condemned Russia's actions in the "strongest possible terms", saying that "one country and one man are responsible", while calling for "maximum sanctions" against Russia. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Máxima stated that their "hearts go out to the people of Ukraine and everyone affected by the violence." The Dutch royal family announced it would host six to eight families of refugees from Ukraine from mid-April at Het Oude Loo.
*
** President Stevo Pendarovski condemned the Russian invasion as "an attack on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, blatant violation of the basic principles of international law, attack on the democratic order and a threat to the stability of Europe."
** Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski announced his government's readiness to receive refugees from Ukraine if the situation there deteriorated further.
* – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommended all Turkish Cypriots in Ukraine to take all possible safety measures as well as services for those looking to leave Ukraine.
* – Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre assured that Norway "condemns Russia's military attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms".
* – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter that "We must immediately respond to Russia's criminal aggression on Ukraine Europe and the free world has to stop Putin", and its government announced that the country was "ready to accept migrants and has prepared hospitals and a train to transport Ukrainians wounded in the assault". The Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji, National Broadcasting Council banned the Russian state-controlled television network RT (TV network), RT on 24 February.
* – Prime Minister António Costa "vehemently condemns the military action triggered by Russia today on Ukrainian soil" in a press statement following a meeting with the minister of state and foreign affairs, the minister of defence, and the chief of the general staff.
* – President Klaus Iohannis condemned Russia's military aggression against Ukraine via Twitter. He said that "Romania, together with the entire international democratic community, strongly rejects this irresponsible behaviour that undermines the foundations of international relations and the current order of international law", and that "the Russian Federation has once again shown that it is not is interested in the constructive and responsible dialogue offered by the European and Euro-Atlantic community" and that Romanian citizens should leave Ukraine as soon as possible.
* – The San Marino Secretary for Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that "the military escalation in Ukraine is a great wound for all the people and nations who strongly believe in the values of peace and strongly condemn war" and "the San Marino institutions and government are in deep shock at this time".
*
** While condemning the invasion of Ukraine, Serbia refused to back sanctions against Russia. Serbia respected Ukraine's territorial integrity and considered Russia's action against it "wrong", but would not impose sanctions against Moscow, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on 25 February. Vučić said the National Security Council concluded the Republic of Serbia considers "very wrong the violation of territorial integrity of a number of countries including Ukraine." Vučić also said that he would condemn Russia's recognition of the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine only if Zelenskyy condemned the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 on public television.
** Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković said that "Russia was Serbia's biggest support in its battle to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty and avoid the stigmatisation of the entire Serb people." Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin stressed that Serbia would not join NATO: "While Aleksandar Vučić is the head of the state, you should have no dilemma as to what our attitude toward the NATO alliance is." While there was no agreement on sanctions on Russia, Serbia nevertheless expressed regrets over events, describing both Russia and Ukraine as friendly states and underlining full support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
** After the military assault began, some Serbian pro-government newspapers hailed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, praising that Russia "overran" Ukraine, Moscow's troops "reached Kyiv in a day" and that the Russian attack on Ukraine was a "response to NATO threats". Serbian Parliament Speaker Ivica Dačić said that Serbia would never impose sanctions on its friend Russia, despite the pressure that it faced. Dačić also added that "Russia is our most influential ally for preserving our territorial integrity and sovereignty in Kosovo." The initial weak response by the government was criticised by some commentators in the country and the region.
** The Serbian organization Women in Black organised anti-war demonstrations in Belgrade, and the Serbian Orthodox Church organised a collection of humanitarian aid.
** On 2 March Serbia voted 'yes' to the UN's resolution condemning the Russian attack on Ukraine.
** On 16 May Serbia signed the "Tirana declaration" and deplored in the strongest terms the illegal and unjustified aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
* – Prime Minister Eduard Heger stated that "The Russian imperialism has been restored in front of our eyes in its aggressive, militant form" and about Russian president Vladimir Putin added "All victims of this war will be his victims and he will be responsible for them in the eyes of the global public." On 24 February 2022, Bratislava Castle and the seat of President of Slovakia Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava was light up in blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine. Slovakia also provided Ukraine with an S-300 missile system, S-300 air defense system.
* – Prime Minister Janez Janša condemned Russia's "unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine" and demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its military and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, reaffirming Slovenia's support of Ukraine. Janša is due to visit Ukraine on 25 February 2022 for talks with his Ukrainian counterparts. The national flag of Ukraine was also hung from the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana as a symbol of solidarity and brotherhood between the two countries.
*
** The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement: "The Republic of South Ossetia expresses its support for the decision of the Russian Federation to conduct the special military operation to protect the residents of Donbas from the current nationalist regime of Kyiv."
** On 26 March 2022, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov began sending troops to Ukraine to assist Russia with the invasion.
* – In a press release, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta announced that they were supplying Ukraine refugees with "emergency relief, food and psychosocial support."
*
** Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the "intolerable military actions of the Russian government in Ukrainian soil" on Twitter after holding a meeting of the National Security Council (Spain), Spanish National Security Council presided over by Felipe VI of Spain, King Felipe VI.
** Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares called the attack "unjustifiable" and a "blatant violation of international law", and announced that Spain was coordinating with EU partners and NATO allies. Minister of Defence Margarita Robles asked for "really severe" sanctions and called Russian actions "of an extraordinary gravity" but noted that there would be no NATO troops on Ukrainian soil as the country "is not a NATO member".
** On 27 February, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced the shipment of 20 tons of defense military equipment to Ukraine and advanced the request to send the Spanish frigate Blas de Lezo (F103), frigate Blas de Lezo in conjunction with a NATO mission.
* – Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson stated that "Sweden condemns in the strongest terms Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russia's acts are also an attack on the European security order. It will be met by a united and robust response in solidarity with Ukraine. Russia alone is responsible for human suffering.".
* – The Swiss foreign ministry called Russia's actions an "invasion" and a "gross violation of international law", while Swiss President Ignazio Cassis announced that the country would support EU sanctions on travel and finance but would still not impose sanctions of its own. However, the Swiss Federal Council reversed course on 28 February, announcing that Switzerland was imposing the same sanctions on Russian assets as the European Union. Exempt from these sanctions were payments for energy raw materials. According to Cassis, the decision was unprecedented but consistent with Swiss neutrality. The Ukraine Recovery International Conference took place in Lugano, Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
on 5 July 2022, to finance the rebuilding of the war-torn nation.
* – On 26 February, Vadim Krasnoselski, the president of the breakaway state of Transnistria internationally recognized as part of Moldova, in response to what he called rumours and false information that Transnistria would attack Ukraine, said that Transnistria was a peaceful state, never had plans to attack its neighbours and called those who spread these claims people without control over the situation or provocateurs with malicious intentions. Krasnoselski also noted the large ethnically Ukrainians, Ukrainian population in Transnistria and that Ukrainian language, Ukrainian is taught in Transnistrian schools and is one of the official languages of the republic.
* – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Russian actions were "unacceptable" and condemned Russia for its "grave violation of international law", while reiterating "support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity". A commercial Turkish-owned vessel was hit by a Russian bomb off the coast of Odessa. Turkish authorities said there were no casualties and sthe ship safely arrived in the territorial waters of Romania, a NATO ally. On 27 February, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu referred to the invasion as a "war," bringing the conflict under the 1936 Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits and permitting Turkey to prohibit Russian warships in the Bosporus and Dardanelles. On 28 February, Erdoğan publicly confirmed the closure, and pledged to maintain relations with both Ukraine and Russia.
*
** Elizabeth II, The Queen made a "generous" donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
** Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (; born 19 June 1964) is a British politician, writer and journalist who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as F ...
said that he was "appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine" and "President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack".
** During a visit to Southend-on-Sea, the Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince of Wales condemned the Russian invasion, stating: "What we saw in the murder of David Amess, terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself. We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression." His wife, the Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cornwall, made a "substantial" donation to the ''Daily Mail''s refugee campaign.
** The Royal Households of the United Kingdom#Household of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, royal household of the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Duke and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cambridge stated on Twitter: "In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine's future. Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine's people as they bravely fight for that future." The couple also made a private donation and were thanked by President Zelenskyy for their message of support.
** Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace (politician), Ben Wallace described Russia's actions as "naked aggression against a democratic country".
** – "Today's actions by Russia, launching a full-scale invasion of a sovereign, democratic nation without any provocation or reasonable excuse, is nothing short of appalling. None of us expected to witness such unforgivable aggression in Europe in our lifetimes. Gibraltar therefore joins with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, leaders of other nations and people around the world in condemning this action in the most strident terms", said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. Picardo called for a ban of the Russian state-controlled television network RT on 25 February; television providers in Gibraltar agreed to suspend broadcasts of RT.
** – "Guernsey follows the UK's sanctions regime and UK foreign policy and will continue to do so. Some of the announced measures will apply automatically and this has already been communicated to the industry. Some of the other sanctions announced yesterday may require new legislation in the UK and if so, the States will move in step with the UK to ensure that all new sanctions will apply and be enforced uniformly."
** – The Isle of Man government is in close contact with the UK government and will remain so regarding the unfolding situation in Ukraine. "We will take action in line with the UK government." It since closed its airspace and ports to Russian airplanes and ships, and extended the UK's sanctions to automatically apply on the Isle of Man. The chief minister Alfred Cannan condemned the actions of the Russian President.
** – The Deputy (Acting) Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, issued the following statement: "We are fully alongside the United Kingdom in its condemnation of this aggressive action, and we will act promptly in line with the UK's response. The UK is ultimately responsible for our foreign relations as a matter of international law, and we implement both U.K. and UN sanctions.
* – Pope Francis has stated that the events in Ukraine have caused, "great pain in his heart". The Pope called for 2 March, Ash Wednesday, to be a day of prayer and fasting for peace. In an unprecedented departure from diplomatic protocol, the Pope went to the Russian embassy on 25 February, to relay his concern over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Moscow's ambassador.
North America
* – Minister of Foreign Affairs Paul Chet Greene condemned the Russian invasion and urged diplomatic talks. * – The Bahamas denounced the invasion and Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell (Bahamian politician), Fred Mitchell stated "The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and led by its President Vladimir Putin is wrong, unlawful and should end and be reversed." * – Prime Minister Mia Mottley urged Russia to withdraw and described the invasion as a violation of Ukrainian territorial integrity. * ** The Government of Belize condemned the 'illegal Russian invasion' and expressed its solidarity with Ukraine. ** Prince William, the grandson of the Queen of Belize, quoted her 1994 speech to the Belizean National Assembly, and said that people in Belize stood in solidarity with those struggling in Ukraine. * – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned "in the strongest possible terms Russia's egregious attack on Ukraine" and stated that "these unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are also in violation of Russia's obligations under international law and the Charter of the United Nations." * – President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Carlos Alvarado released a statement on Twitter rejecting and condemning the "use of force and the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine", saying that peace is the "only way". * – The Cuban government blamed the United States for the crisis in Ukraine and backed Russia's right to "self-defense", but said the conflict should be resolved diplomatically. * – Dominica condemned the invasion and called for an end to the 'aggression'. * – Dominican President Luis Abinader released a statement urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and furthermore stated that Russia was violating the political, cultural and territorial identity of Ukrainians. * – Grenada condemned the invasion. * – President Alejandro Giammattei released a statement on Twitter, condemning the Russian invasion. * – Haiti expressed concerns at the situation in Ukraine and urged the two countries to find a diplomatic solution. Haiti cosponsored a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia. * – Honduras condemned the Russian invasion. * – Prime Minister Andrew Holness condemned Russia, stating "Jamaica is consistent in its support for the universal respect and adherence to the principles of international law, the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations. We, therefore, cannot support, and, in fact, we condemn the invasion of Ukraine". * – The Secretary of Foreign Affairs (Mexico), Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard, on behalf of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, issued a statement on Twitter, rejecting and condemning the Russian invasion. He demanded a cessation of hostilities to achieve a peaceful resolution. On 1 March, however, López Obrador announced that Mexico would not participate in economic sanctions against Russia and criticised the overseas censorship of Russian state media. At the 2022 G20 Bali summit, López Obrador reaffirmed that Mexico would, officially, remain neutral on the conflict. * – President Daniel Ortega, Ortega supports Putin's deployment of troops to Ukraine after recognizing separatist regions. * – Panama lamented the invasion and stated their support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. * – Saint Lucia expressed concern about the invasion and supported the Caribbean Community, CARICOM statement condemning Russia. * – At the UN emergency session, ambassador Inga Rhonda King stated that the country "unequivocally insists that the Russian Federation cease its military operations and immediately withdraw (its) forces from Ukraine." * – Foreign Minister Amery Browne condemned the invasion. * ** President Joe Biden released a statement condemning the Russian invasion as "unprovoked and unjustified" and accused Putin of starting a "premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering". Biden stated the US would not dispatch its own forces to protect Ukraine, however, Biden did authorize sanctions directly targeting Putin and Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov
Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov (russian: Сергей Викторович Лавров, ; born 21 March 1950) is a Russian diplomat and politician who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Russia), Foreign Minister of Russia since 2004.
...
.
** In the 2022 State of the Union Address, Biden announced that all US airspace would be closed to all Russian aircraft. Biden additionally condemned Russian oligarchs who supported Putin, stating that "We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains."
** Vice President Kamala Harris threatened to increase sanctions against Russia at the Munich Security Conference: "Let me be clear, I can say with absolute certainty: If Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States, together with our allies and partners, will impose significant and unprecedented economic costs."
** House speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed the House would pass as much funding as needed to support the Ukrainian government.
** Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that "there's a Holocaust going on" in Ukraine.
South America
* – On 24 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina called on Russia to respect the charter of theUnited Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
and international law. President Alberto Fernández asked "the Russian Federation to put an end to the military action, respect Ukraine's sovereignty and return to dialogue". On 24 February, Argentina, along with Brazil and three other Latin American states, abstained from a vote at the Organization of American States condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying the organization was not a "pertinent forum". On 2 March, Argentina voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demanding a full withdrawal of Russian forces. Before the UN, Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero condemned "the invasion of Ukraine as illegitimate and military operations on Ukrainian soil," and said that the world "does not tolerate more deaths or wars". Argentina has also supported Ukraine at the UN Human Rights Council. On 1 July 2022, Fernández had a phone conversation with President Zelenskyy, where Fernández condemned the invasion again and promised more aid to Ukraine.
* – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bolivia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that, as "a pacifist state", the Bolivian government urged Russia and Ukraine to avoid the use of force and seek diplomatic de-escalation "within the framework of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations". It did not explicitly condemn the Russian invasion, instead citing a "lack of dialogue and understanding" as causing further escalation in the conflict. Two days later, on 28 February, before the UN General Assembly, Bolivia rejected the "invasion and unilateral actions" of Russia. Nonetheless, Bolivia has consistently abstained from UN and OAS motions condemning Russia or demanding a cessation of hostilities and voted against expelling Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
* – President Jair Bolsonaro declined to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, while departing from his government's official stance at the United Nations to say Brazil would remain neutral. Brazil supported a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine at a United Nations Security Council meeting on 25 February. Vice-president Hamilton Mourão suggested use of force against Russia in the context of military crisis. However, on 27 February, President Jair Bolsonaro said that he would not condemn the invasion and that Brazil would remain neutral.
* – President Sebastián Piñera said that "Russia's act of aggression and violation of Ukraine's sovereignty" violated international law, while President of Chile, President -elect Gabriel Boric "condemn[ed] the invasion of Ukraine, the violation of its sovereignty and the illegitimate use of force".
* – President Iván Duque stated that Colombia "categorically rejects the attacks against Ukraine by Russia" and considers the invasion a violation of international law and the United Nations charter.
* – President Guillermo Lasso said that Ecuador would support the position of the United Nations and the Organization of American States in condemning the invasion. "The aggression is a violent intrusion and a violation of our principles for worldwide peace," he said. He added, however, that Ecuador has no plans to suspend diplomatic relations with Russia.
* – Guyana condemned the invasion and urged Russia to respect Ukrainian sovereignty.
* – Paraguay condemned the invasion.
* – Foreign Affairs Minister César Landa said in a statement: "Faced with the violation of [the] sovereignty, territory, and integrity of Ukraine, Peru rejects the use of force and states its opinion through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, invoking respect for international law."
* – Suriname condemned the invasion.
* – President Luis Lacalle Pou condemned Russia's "actions contrary to international law", and declared that Uruguay "is a country that is always committed to peace", for which he encouraged the return of negotiations for a "civilised resolution" of the conflict. In an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Uruguay), Ministry of Foreign Relations, the government stated that the principles of the Charter of the United Nations were "notoriously violated" after the Russian military attacks; and announced that four Uruguayan citizens were evacuated from Ukraine to Cyprus, and that it was monitoring the situation, attending to the situation of its "compatriots" in order to provide them with the proper assistance.
* – The country's government blamed NATO and the United States for the crisis in Ukraine, stating that they had violated the Minsk agreements. Nicolás Maduro said before the invasion was launched that Venezuela was with Putin, but also urged a diplomatic dialogue to avoid an increase in the conflict.
Oceania
* – Prime Minister Scott Morrison denounced the invasion and imposed export controls and travel bans on Russia, as a price for the "unprovoked, unlawful, unwarranted, unjustified attacks and threats and intimidation" and reaffirmed Australia's "unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity". However, Morrison suggested that he did not expect Putin to be deterred. In response to Russia's claim of peacekeeping, Australia replied "They're not peacekeepers. They're invaders". On 25 February, Morrison condemned China's easing of import restrictions on Russian wheat as "inexplicable" and "completely unacceptable", and said it gave a "lifeline to Russia [...] while they're invading another country". Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher (politician), Paul Fletcher called for a suspension on broadcasts of two Russian state-controlled TV networks, RT and NTV Moscow, on 25 February; two Australian TV services suspended broadcasts of RT, one of which also suspended broadcasts of NTV Moscow. * – The Federated States of Micronesia severed diplomatic relations with Russia on 25 February 2022. "The FSM affirms its stalwart support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United Nations, who correctly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The FSM supports the removal of the Russian Federation in its capacity as president of the United Nations Security Council; Russia remaining there is a façade, as they need to be upholding the international rules-based order instead of undermining it." * – Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine, calling for an end to all hostilities and violation of international law and urging Russia to "return to the diplomatic table". * – Kiribati cosponsored a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia. * – Marshall Islands cosponsored a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia. * – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and called for Russia to immediately withdraw from Ukraine in a bid to avoid a "catastrophic and pointless" loss of life. New Zealand has suspended high-level diplomatic engagements with Russia and introduced travel bans and export controls. In early March 2022, the New Zealand Parliament passed legislation imposing sanctions on Russian elites, organisations and assets deemed complicit in the invasion. In late March, the New Zealand Defence Force dispatched nine intelligence analysts to assist British and Belgian intelligence gathering work relating to the war in Ukraine. In mid-April 2022, New Zealand dispatched a C-130 Hercules aircraft and 58 military personnel to assist with logistics and transportation. ** – In a statement, the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration said: "The Cook Islands join with others in condemning Russia's unprovoked invasion of the Ukraine. We call on Russia to end the hostilities and violations of the international rule of law." * – Palau participated in the Albanian-American-led Joint Statement following a vote on a UN Security Council resolution on Russia's aggression toward Ukraine. * – Papua New Guinea cosponsored a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia. * – Samoa's permanent representative to the United Nations, Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Pa'olelei Luteru, described the invasion as "unprovoked" and stated that "Samoa is greatly concerned by the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Such action is a clear violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty..." He also called for Russia and Ukraine to engage in peace negotiations.Expulsion of diplomats
More than a dozen countries expelled Russian diplomats following the invasion, citing espionage activities incompatible with diplomatic status, and then also Russian killing of civilians in the Bucha massacre. Additionally, the European Union declared 19 Russian diplomats Persona non grata, personae non-gratae.Intergovernmental and international organizations
* – Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the Russian invasion was "the saddest moment in my tenure" and called on Putin to withdraw his troops "in the name of humanity". On 25 February, the United Nations Security Council, Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution which would have "deplored, in the strongest terms, the Russian Federation's aggression" on Ukraine. Of the 15 member states on the Security Council, 11 were in support, whilst three abstained from voting. The draft resolution failed due to a Russian veto. Due to the deadlock, the Security Council passed a resolution to convene the United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly for the Eleventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly, eleventh emergency special session. On 2 March, the General Assembly voted to deplore "in the strongest possible terms" Russia's aggression against Ukraine by a vote of 141 to 5, with 35 abstentions. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, resolution also called for the Russian Federation to "immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine" and "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces." Only Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea voted against the resolution. On 4 March, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution by a vote of 32 to 2, with 13 abstentions, calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops and Russian-backed armed groups from Ukraine and humanitarian access to people in need. The resolution also established a commission to investigate alleged rights violations committed during Russia's military attack on Ukraine. On 23 March, the UN Security Council failed to back a Russian humanitarian resolution calling for the protection of civilians and their safe passage. It was criticised by French and American representatives for not mentioning Russia's role in the ongoing crisis. On 24 March, the UN General Assembly voted 140 to 5 in favor of United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/2, a resolution approving aid access and civilian protection in Ukraine, which again criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On 7 April, the UN General Assembly voted 93–24, with 58 abstentions, to United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/3, suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
* – Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and Chair of the African Union and Senegalese president Macky Sall called on Russia and "any other regional or international actor to imperatively respect international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Ukraine" and urged both parties to the conflict to establish an immediate ceasefire and start political negotiations without delay.
* Arctic Council – On 3 March, all member states of the Arctic Council besides Russia (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States) released a joint statement condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a flagrant violation of the organization's "core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity". They also noted, "the grave impediments to international cooperation, including in the Arctic, that Russia's actions have caused". The seven members announced they would no longer attend meetings of the Council in Russia, which currently holds the organization's rotating chairmanship.
* – Foreign ministers of ASEAN expressed grave concern over Russia-Ukraine tensions and urged maximum restraint and dialogue.
* Baltic Assembly – The Baltic Assembly published a statement in which it "firmly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine".
* – A statement issued on behalf of the Caribbean Community condemned the invasion of Ukraine and demanded an "immediate and complete withdrawal" of Russia's military from Ukraine.
* – The Committee of Ministers passed a resolution that "condemned in the strongest terms the armed attack on Ukraine" and called for Russia to "immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations" On 25 February, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe suspended Russia from its rights of representation in the Committee of Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly. In the following days, the European Court of Human Rights granted interim measures indicating to Russia that it should refrain from military attacks against civilians and civilian objects and should ensure access to safe evacuation routes, healthcare, food and other essential supplies, rapid and unconstrained passage of humanitarian aid, and movement of humanitarian workers. Russia accused NATO and EU members of having undermined the Council of Europe, and announced its intention to withdraw from the organisation. On 15 March, Russia notified the council of its decision to withdraw and to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights by the end of 2022. The following day, the Committee of Ministers decided to expel Russia from the Council of Europe with immediate effect.
* – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted; "We will not let President Putin tear down Europe's security architecture" and Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell called on Putin to stop the "senseless aggression". President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola called for "immediate, quick, solid and swift action" and convened an extraordinary session of Parliament for 1 March.
* Economic Community of West African States – ECOWAS released a statement that condemned the invasion and called for both parties to stop the fighting. Instead, ECOWAS urged for both parties to use dialogue to solve differences for sake of the interest of peace in the region.
* International Criminal Court – Neither Ukraine nor Russia are parties to the Rome Statute, however, the Ukrainian government has voluntarily accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court since 2015 for any possible war crimes committed on Ukrainian territory since 20 February 2014. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Ahmad Khan, issued a statement on 25 February reminding all parties involved that the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has jurisdiction to investigate any act of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity and that "any person who commits such crimes, including by ordering, inciting, or contributing in another manner to the commission of these crimes, may be liable to prosecution before the Court." Khan issued a follow-up statement on 28 February that the OTP had a reasonable basis to begin an investigation under article 15(3) of the Rome Statute pending approval from the Pre-Trial Chamber of the court. The approval requirement was bypassed after 39 states parties referred the situation in Ukraine to the OTP and the International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine, formal investigation commenced on 2 March.
* International Energy Agency – On 25 February, the IEA's thirty-one member countries "expressed great concern over the destruction and loss of life" and said they would closely monitor impacts on energy markets. In response to the threat the Russian invasion posed to global oil markets, on 1 March the IEA Governing Board authorized the release of 61.7 million barrels of oil from member countries' strategic petroleum reserves. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said, "The situation in energy markets is very serious and demands our full attention. Global energy security is under threat, putting the world economy at risk during a fragile stage of recovery." On 1 April, the Governing Board announced a second release of emergency oil stocks, making another 120 million barrels available for oil markets.
* – Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack and called it a "grave breach of international law". A separate statement announced an intention to deploy defensive forces and condemned Belarus for enabling the attack. On 8 March, Stoltenberg warned that "if there is any attack against any NATO country, NATO territory, that will trigger Article 5" of the North Atlantic Treaty. On 13 March, Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of a full-fledged NATO response if Russia hit any part of NATO territory.
* – President Erkki Tuomioja condemned the invasion as "completely unjust" and stated that it was "contrary to both international law and the order of European security."
* – The Organization of American States, OAS condemned the attack as an affront to mankind and an attack on civilised international relations. On 21 April OAS voted to suspend Russian permanent observer status in the organization. 25 nations voted in favour, 8 abstained and none voted against the motion.
* Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – The OECD Council formally terminated accession negotiations with Russia and ordered the closure of OECD offices in Moscow.
* – OSCE Chairman Zbigniew Rau and Secretary General Helga Schmid issued a joint statement on 24 February 2022 condemning the invasion. All international members of the multi-national OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which had been deployed in the country since 21 March 2014, were evacuated beginning 24 February. A Ukrainian member of the OSCE mission, Maryna Fenina, was killed on 1 March during the Battle of Kharkiv (2022), shelling of Kharkiv.
* Pacific Islands Forum – In a statement, the Pacific Islands Forum condemned the invasion, saying "observed from afar the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Russia's blatant disregard for international law."
NATO
Following the 24 February2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
, eight NATO member states – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia – triggered security consultations under North Atlantic Treaty (Article 4), Article 4. The Estonian government issued a statement by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
Kaja Kallas (; born 18 June 1977) is an Estonian politician who has been serving as the prime minister of Estonia since 2021. The leader of the Reform Party since 2018, she was a Member of Parliament from 2019 to 2021, and previously between 2 ...
saying: "Russia's widespread aggression is a threat to the entire world and to all NATO countries, and NATO consultations on strengthening the security of the Allies must be initiated to implement additional measures for ensuring the defence of NATO Allies. The most effective response to Russia's aggression is unity." On 24 February, Stoltenberg announced new plans that "will enable us to deploy capabilities and forces, including the NATO Response Force, to where they are needed". Following the invasion, NATO announced plans to increase military deployments in the Baltics, Poland, and Romania.
After the 25 February UN Security Council meeting, Stoltenberg announced that parts of the NATO Response Force would be deployed, for the first time ever, to NATO members along the eastern border. He stated that forces would include elements of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), led by France. The US announced on 24 February that it would deploy 7,000 troops to join the 5,000 already in Europe. NATO forces included the 's Carrier Strike Group 8, which entered the Mediterranean Sea the previous week as part of a planned exercise. The carrier strike group was placed under NATO command, the first time this had occurred since the Cold War.
As Russia began to build forces on Ukraine's border in the lead-up to the invasion, Finland and Sweden, both neutral states, increased their cooperation with NATO. Both countries attended the emergency NATO summit as members of NATO's Partnership for Peace, and both condemned the invasion and provided assistance to Ukraine. On 25 February, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova threatened Finland and Sweden with "military and political consequences" if they attempted to join NATO. Both Finnish and Swedish public opinion shifted in favour of joining NATO after the invasion. A public petition asking the Parliament of Finland to hold a referendum to join NATO reached the required 50,000 signatures, prompting a parliamentary discussion on 1 March.
On 8 March, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that "any attack against any NATO country [or] NATO territory ... will trigger Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. On 11 March, Biden proclaimed that while the United States would, as part of NATO, "defend every single inch of NATO territory with [its] full might", NATO would not "fight a war against Russia in Ukraine", as such "direct conflict between NATO and Russia is World War III, something we must strive to prevent".
On 13 March, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor (United States), United States National Security Advisor to President Biden, warned of a full-fledged NATO response if Russia were to hit any part of NATO territory. Sullivan added on 22 March, during Biden's trip to Europe to discuss updating NATO's posture towards Russia, that Biden would emphasize three key issues: new sanctions against Russia and tightening existing sanctions, longer-term adjustments to NATO force posture and contingencies in the case of nuclear weapons use, and 'joint action' on enhancing energy security in Europe, which is highly reliant on Russian gas. Zelenskyy repeatedly urged NATO to impose a no-fly zone
A no-fly zone, also known as a no-flight zone (NFZ), or air exclusion zone (AEZ), is a territory or area established by a military power over which certain aircraft are not permitted to fly. Such zones are usually set up in an enemy power's te ...
over Ukraine, which was rejected by the organization as it would involve shooting down Russian aircraft, an act that would significantly escalate the war to involve NATO.
On 16 March, a meeting of NATO defence ministers agreed to continue supplying Ukraine with military, financial and humanitarian aid, though Stoltenberg ruled out the deployment of forces in Ukraine or a no-fly-zone, saying NATO has "a responsibility" not to escalate the war beyond Ukraine.
Upon his arrival for the 2022 Brussels extraordinary summit on 24 March, Biden increased the amount of new aid offered to Ukraine by one billion dollars and announced added guarantees for NATO obligations to protect all NATO-allied nations which border Ukraine. On 28 March, Biden, at the end of his NATO trip to Europe, reaffirmed his condemnation of Putin, saying that he would "'make no apologies'" for previously stating that "'Putin cannot remain in power'". On 29 March, Kallas sided with Biden's condemnation and called for the further isolation of Putin from international politics. As part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence, NATO countries agreed to establish four multinational battalion-sized battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia, on top of four existing battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
On 6 and 7 April, foreign ministers from NATO member states as well as Ukraine, the European Union, Finland, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand and Australia convened to discuss further sanctions on Russia and additional arms deliveries to Ukraine.
European Union
On 27 February 2022, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced that theEuropean Union
The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...
would ban Russian state-owned media outlets RT (TV Network), RT and Sputnik (news agency), Sputnik in response to disinformation and their coverage of the conflict in Ukraine. She also said that the EU would finance the purchase and delivery of military equipment to Ukraine and proposed a ban on Russian aircraft using EU airspace. The following day, the Council of the European Union adopted two assistance measures to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities. The measures, for a total value of €500 million, financed the provision of military equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces including – for the first time in EU history – weapons and other lethal equipment.
On 28 February, the EU imposed a ban on transactions with the Central Bank of Russia, Russian Central Bank and a ban on the overflight of EU airspace and on access to EU airports by Russian carriers. On 2 March, a SWIFT ban for certain Russian banks was adopted, ensuring that they were disconnected from the international financial system, and the broadcasting activities in the EU of the outlets Sputnik (news agency), Sputnik and RT (TV network), RT were suspended. On 10 March, additional measures targeting the Belarusian financial sector were agreed upon, and the EU imposed restrictive measures, including an asset freeze and a travel ban on 160 prominent businesspeople ("oligarchs") and members of the Federation Council (Russia), Russian Federation Council. At the onset of the war, similar measures had already been applied on members of Russia's Security Council of Russia, Security Council and State Duma, Duma, and on other individuals.
On 15 March, the EU decided to impose a fourth package of economic and individual sanctions, including trade restrictions for iron, steel, and luxury goods. The European Commission claimed that restricting steel imports could lead to a loss of €3.3 billion in revenue for Russia, and von der Leyen explained that the EU was working to suspend Russia's membership rights in multilateral institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. On 23 March, the Council decided to double the funding for the Ukrainian armed forces, bringing the total amount from €500 million to €1 billion. On 1 April, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola visited Kyiv to "show the EU's support for Ukraine" and to meet with Ukrainian officials.
On 8 April, the EU passed the fifth round of sanctions, which included an embargo on Russian coal, restrictions on Russian-flagged ships in EU ports, restrictions on Russian and Belarusian road transport in the EU, a ban on four Russian banks, export bans of high-tech goods and expanded sanctions on family members of individuals already sanctioned. The same day, a delegation including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and prime minister of Slovakia Eduard Heger visited Ukraine. Von der Leyen presented Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy, ; russian: Владимир Александрович Зеленский, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Zelenskyy, (born 25 January 1978; also transliterated as Zelensky or Zelenskiy) is a Ukrainian politicia ...
with a accession of Ukraine to the European Union, questionnaire to join the EU; she also visited the city of Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, Bucha to observe the aftermath of the Bucha massacre. Borrell announced that the EU delegation to Ukraine, headed by Matti Maasikas, would return to Kyiv after it was evacuated at the outbreak of war.
Political parties, opposition politicians and other political groups
International human rights organizations
Non-governmental organizations, non-political groups and individuals
See also
* 2022 anti-war protests in Russia * 2022 boycott of Russia and Belarus * Corporate responses to the 2022 Russian invasion * Legality of 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine * List of companies that applied sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War * List of foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War * Protests against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine * Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis * International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's RepublicNotes
References
External links
Archive of the Kremlin's official websites when hacked by Anonymous
{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, * 2022 in international relations Reactions to 2020s events International reactions to armed conflicts Articles containing video clips