Berlin, Europe Brief News – German chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply condemned on Thursday Russia’s attack on Ukraine, calling it a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe.
The chancellor said that the Russian attack on Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. It cannot be justified by anything, he further added.
He also renewed Germany’s condemnation of the reckless act by President Putin in the strongest possible terms.
Scholz said in a written statement that “our solidarity is with Ukraine and its people. Russia must stop this military action immediately”.
He added Germany would coordinate closely with others within the framework of the Group of Seven, NATO and the European Union.
For his part, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that his country and its allies will use ‘a massive package of sanctions’ to ‘hobble the Russian economy.’
Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny. We and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. We cannot and will not just look away, Johnson said in a televised statement addressing the nation.
“Today, in concert with our allies, we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.”
“We must also collectively cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on western politics.”
Our mission is clear; diplomatically politically, economically, and eventually, military, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure, Johnson concluded.
