European leaders are facing the worst-case scenario, meeting tonight in Brussels with a physical presence at an emergency summit convened by European Council President Charles Michel on the latest developments on the Russia-Ukraine issue.
The EU announced the first package of sanctions against Russia yesterday afternoon, while decisions on a new package of sanctions are expected today.
“President (of the European Commission Ursula) von der Leyen will present a new package of measures which will be finalized by the European Commission and will be adopted immediately by the Council,” the statement said.
These “additional restrictive measures (…) will have massive and serious consequences for Russia for its actions,” he added.
Condemn Michel and von der Leyen
The “unjustified attack of Russia on Ukraine” is condemned in a joint post on Twitter by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
“We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine. In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives. “The Kremlin will be held accountable.”
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Stoltenberg: Russia is endangering the lives of civilians
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the “unwise and unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine”, stressing that it “endangers the innumerable lives of civilians”.
“Once again, despite our repeated warnings and our relentless diplomatic efforts, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country,” Stoltenberg said.
He added: “This is a serious violation of international law and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. “I urge Russia to immediately suspend all military action and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
“NATO allies will meet to face the consequences of Russia’s aggression. We stand by the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. “NATO will do whatever it takes to protect and defend all (its) allies,” he said.
Biden: War by design
US President Joe Biden has accused Vladimir Putin of “choosing” to launch a “premeditated war” against Ukraine, minutes after the Kremlin occupier announced that he had ordered the deployment of Russian troops in the east.
Condemning Russia’s “unjustified attack” on Ukraine, Biden stressed that the war would bring “catastrophic suffering and loss of human life.”
“Russia bears the sole responsibility for the death and destruction caused by this attack,” he said.
“People will hold Russia accountable,” he said.
He added that he would comment later today on the “consequences” of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the measures that will be imposed by Washington in coordination with their allies.
Guterres: Call for an end to the war
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the Russian president to end the war in Ukraine “in the name of humanity”, shortly after Vladimir Putin announced that he had ordered a military operation.
“President Putin, in the name of humanity, order your troops to return to Russia,” Guterres said after a special UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine crisis.
The consequences of this war will be catastrophic for Ukraine and will deal a serious blow to the world economy, warned the UN leader.
The ambassadors of the 30 NATO member states were convened to attend an emergency meeting in Brussels today following the launch of a Russian military operation against Ukraine, a Pact spokesman said.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who earlier condemned the “unprovoked” attack on Moscow, will hold a press conference on (13:30 Greek time), according to the alliance spokesman.
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