Countries around the world respond to Russia's recognition of independence in the eastern Part of Ukraine #Russian-Ukrainian Crisis #Direct Attack on Russian Front Troops # Governments around the world responded to Russia's recognition of the eastern separatist region of Ukraine as an independent state, and many countries condemned Moscow's move and called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
"We must make it clear that the attack on Ukraine is an attack on every U.N. member state and on the UN Charter — and that will have swift and severe consequences," Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations, said late Monday. "We remain convinced that the diplomatic negotiating table is the only place for responsible nations to resolve their differences."
A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Guterres believed Russia's decision was "inconsistent" with the principles of the UN Charter and a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a statement Tuesday morning calling Russia's actions "a clear violation of Ukraine's political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity."
In Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Derian condemned Russia's move and said it would be sanctioned for its actions.
Jose Borrelli, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said the EU would not resort to sweeping sanctions at the moment, but would take steps in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement Monday.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to impose a "very strong package of sanctions" if Russia invaded Ukraine, calling Putin's actions a "flagrant violation" of Ukraine's sovereignty.
Ambassador Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called on all parties to exercise restraint and "seek a reasonable solution to each other's concerns."
Iran's Foreign Ministry has also urged restraint, while accusing "NATO, primarily the United States, of its intervention and provocative actions" of complicating the situation in the region.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: "All indications are that Russia is continuing to plan an all-out attack on Ukraine. He added: "We continue to call on Russia to restrain it from the precipice ... It's never too late not to attack. ”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called Russia's actions "unacceptable" and said Japan was "following developments with grave concern."
Syrian state television quoted Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad as saying Syria supports Russia's decision and "will cooperate with them." Syria is an ally of Russia and relies on Russian military aid in its internal conflicts.
Greece's foreign ministry said Russia's actions were "a clear violation of the principles of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements."
The Minsk agreements reached in 2014 and 2015 aimed at restoring peace in the border areas between Russia and Ukraine. Before the deal was reached, violence on the ground escalated.
German Foreign Minister Annarinbeth Birkbeck said Russia had "broken all the commitments it has made to the international community."
South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed "grave concern" about the escalation of tensions along the Russian-Ukrainian border and expressed support for "maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Lani Fotier of the International Rescue Committee warned that "a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine must be avoided at all costs." If war breaks out, the consequences for the Ukrainian people, for Europe, will not be overstated. ”
