Ukraine invasion: Joe Biden says world will hold Vladimir Putin accountable

US President Joe Biden has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the west scrambled to respond.

US President Joe Biden. Picture: AFP

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the “world will hold Russia accountable” over its attack against Ukraine that he warned will cause “catastrophic loss of life.”

In a statement issued shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of military operations in Ukraine, Biden said he would address the US public on Thursday to outline the “consequences” for Russia, calling the attack “unprovoked and unjustified.”

The US President was due to join a virtual, closed-doors meeting of G7 leaders — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — at 9am Washington time on Thursday (1am Friday AEDT).

The White House said his remarks to the public would come in early afternoon in Washington.

On Tuesday, the US government joined European allies in imposing sanctions on two Russian banks, Moscow’s sovereign debt, several oligarchs and other measures.

On Wednesday, Biden announced he was imposing sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany — one of energy-rich Moscow’s highest-profile energy and geopolitical projects. Germany had earlier announced it would block the project from proceeding.

US officials said that any escalation by Russia in Ukraine — which has now occurred — would be met with ever tougher sanctions that could target bigger banks, more oligarchs and a halt to exports of high-tech equipment.

“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,” Biden said.

“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.”

NATO calls attack ‘reckless, unprovoked’

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday denounced Russia’s “reckless and unprovoked attack” on Ukraine, warning it put “countless” lives in jeopardy.

He said NATO allies “will meet to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions”.

“I strongly condemn Russia’s reckless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

“Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

“This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

Stoltenberg added: “We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all allies.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine commission in New York. Picture: AFP

The statement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine and explosions were heard in multiple locations across the country.

Ukraine is not a member of the 30-nation Western military alliance but its attempt to join have angered the Kremlin leader.

Putin has demanded guarantees from NATO and the US that Ukraine would never be granted membership as he has massed huge forces along the border with Russia’s pro-Western neighbour.

Stoltenberg has previously said NATO has no plans to send troops to fight in Ukraine if Russia attacked and key power Washington has ruled out deploying its forces to defend the country.

Putin chosen ‘path of bloodshed’: Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the “horrific events in Ukraine”, saying Russia’s President Vladimir Putin “has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack”.
“The UK and our allies will respond decisively,” he tweeted, adding he had spoken to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.

President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

The UK and our allies will respond decisively.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2022

UN pleads with Russia to ‘end aggression’

UN chief Antonio Guterres has pleaded with Russia to end aggressions in Ukraine.

“President Putin, in the name of humanity bring your troops back to Russia,” the secretary-general said after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the crisis.

“In the name of humanity do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century.”

Tonight, I have only one thing to say, from the bottom of my heart:

President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine.

Give peace a chance.

Too many people have already died. pic.twitter.com/PPgmABZiKl

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 24, 2022

”The United Nations Security Council will vote on a resolution against Russia on Thursday, according to the US and French ambassadors to the UN after the council met just as Russian President Vladimir Putin declared military operations in Ukraine.

Moscow is unlikely to face any consequences at the Security Council because it holds a veto due to its permanent membership. In addition, Moscow holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for February.

The calls for a UN resolution came at an emergency late-night council meeting that started with calls for restraint and peace but then shifted after Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, read from President Vladimir Putin’s statement about the commencement of military operations in Ukraine.

— AFP