From China To India: Where Countries Stand On The Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked one of the biggest security crises in Europe since World War II by invading Ukraine, with barrages of missiles and artillery accompanying troops as they entered the country from multiple directions.

Putin¡¯s latest move has been interpreted by analysts and Western nations as a preamble to an invasion of Ukraine. It has sent the ruble plunging and prompted sanctions by the United States and its allies. Experts say an invasion by Russian troops would have global consequences, rattling world markets, displacing thousands and plunging Europe into its worst security crisis since the Cold War.

Reuters

As the crisis between Ukraine and Russia deepens, Here is a guide to where the major international leaders in the Russia-Ukraine crisis stand.

Where countries stand with Ukraine?

1. United States

NATO¡¯s most powerful member, the United States is a central player in the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. "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," US President Joe Biden said shortly after the operation began.

ALSO READ: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Military Capabilities Of Russia and Ukraine

2. Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lashed out at an ¡°unscrupulous act¡± and spoke to Zelensky to express his country¡¯s ¡°full solidarity¡±.

Putin is ¡°endangering the lives of countless innocent people in Ukraine¡­ (and) jeopardising peace in our continent,¡± Scholz said.

3. France

Britannica

French President Emmanuel Macron said the G7, NATO and the European Union would be "without weakness" when they meet to agree on sanctions later on Thursday after Moscow inflicted "the most significant damage on peace and stability in Europe for decades."

Emmanuel Macron said Russia's "act of war" was a "turning point in the history of Europe" with "deep and lasting consequences for our lives" in an address to the nation.

4. United Kingdom

In an address to the nation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Putin a "dictator" facing "massive" sanctions for his "attack on democracy and freedom in east Europe and around the world." In his tweet he wrote, "I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelensky to discuss next steps."

5. Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Russia¡¯s ¡°egregious and unprovoked¡± attack on Ukraine as ¡°a clear further violation of Ukraine¡¯s sovereignty and territorial integrity¡± and of Russia¡¯s obligations under international law.

¡°These reckless and dangerous acts will not go unpunished,¡± he said in a statement.

6. Italy

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who is the leader of G7, called Russia¡¯s invasion ¡°unjustified and unjustifiable¡±.

¡°Italy is close to the Ukrainian people and institutions in this dramatic moment,¡± Draghi said in a statement.

7. Turkey

AP

Turkey, a NATO member with friendly ties with Ukraine and Russia, said the invasion was "unjust and unlawful" in a foreign ministry statement.

8. South Africa

South Africa has called on Russia to "immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine" after an invasion on Thursday morning.

The department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) said it would monitor the situation and offer support to South Africans in the Ukraine.

9. Portugal

AFP

Portugal's Prime Minister Ant¨®nio Costa called on Thursday for a diplomatic solution to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said potential refugees from Ukraine were welcome in the Iberian country, home to a large Ukrainian community, according to Reuters.

10. Lithuania

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday the European Union should slap the harshest-possible sanctions on Russia and give Ukraine "a much more visible and transparent road to membership" in the 27-nation bloc.

11. India

India called for an immediate desecration while China said it "understands" Russia's concerns.

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