President Joe Biden on Wednesday night expressed solidarity with Ukraine shortly after Russia's Vladimir Putin announced military action in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

In a statement, Biden described Russia's move as an "unprovoked and unjustified attack" with shelling reported in multiple Ukrainian cities.

“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable" - Biden noted.

Biden also added that he was monitoring the situation from the White House, and will meet with the other G7 leaders in the morning.

He will announce "further consequences" imposed on Russia by the US and its allies tomorrow, he said.

Putin's address to his nation came at 5:40 am, local time, just a few minutes after the UN Security Council convened to discuss the crisis, where the US Ambassador to the UN urged Moscow to "back away from the brink before it's too late "

"For months, Russia has been holding a gun to Ukraine's head. Now, President Putin's finger is on the trigger." - added United Kingdom Ambassador Barbara Woodward in her speech.

Western on Wednesday warned that Russia appeared to be moving more troops into eastern Ukraine, with the Pentagon warning that Russian forces “could attack at any time.”

"It won't be bloodless. There will be suffering. There will be sacrifice. And all of that must and should be laid at his feet. Because he's doing this by choice. How he does this? When he does this? We don 't know for sure." Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said.

In response to Moscow's decision to send troops into eastern Ukraine, the White House on Wednesday announced sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, the parent company of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and its corporate officers.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.

Source - Turan.az

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24.02.2022 10:12