President Joe Biden (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty; Mikhail Svetlov/Getty
In a televised address, Putin said that the operation is to “demilitarize” Ukraine and that Ukrainian servicemen who put down their arms will be able to safely leave the combat zone, per theAssociated Press.
Putin also issued a warning to anyone who tried to intervene, saying they “must know that Russia’s answer will be immediate, and will lead to such consequences as you never experienced in your history,” according toThe New York Times.
Russian President Vladimir Putin.Sergei Guneyev/TASS/Getty
Explosions were also reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk and other parts of Ukraine shortly after Putin’s televised address, theTimesreports.
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“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden’s statement continued. “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.”
The President went on to write that he will address the nation on Thursday as he monitors the situation overseas.
“Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security,” wrote Biden.
The 46th president concluded: “We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.”
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser for the Interior Minister of Ukraine, said on hisFacebookpage early Thursday morning that Russia’s “invasion has begun,” according toCNN.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, alsowrote on Twitterthat Putin had “started a full-scale war against Ukraine,” per theNew York Times.
“This is a war of aggression,” a translated tweet read. “Ukraine will defend itself and win. The world must act and stop Putin. It is time to act — immediately.”
source: people.com
