Missile attack on Ukraine: international reaction
Today's Russian bombing of civilian infrastructure in various cities of Ukraine is an act of desperation and a consequence of the helplessness of the Russian army at the front.
This was stated by the head of the Bureau of International Policy of Polish President’s Office, Jakub Kumoch, in a comment to PAP, Ukrinform reports.
"We are dealing with state terrorism and a crime committed by Russia. If anyone had any doubts that Russia is committing crimes in this war, today these doubts have probably been dispelled," said Kumoch.
He emphasized that the Russians hit civilian targets at such a time of the day to cause as many casualties as possible.
"It has all the hallmarks of a crime," he said.
Asked if the attack could be seen as a response to Saturday's destruction of the Crimean bridge, Kumoch said it was "a kind of helplessness and retaliation for the fact that Russia is losing this war." Therefore, this helplessness pushes Russia to criminal actions, he stressed.
However, the head of the Bureau warned against comparing the destruction of the Crimean bridge with today's bombing of Ukrainian cities.
"Destruction of infrastructure that serves delivery (of weapons - ed.) is an act of war. Ukraine has the right to destroy roads, hit military convoys, destroy communication routes. Instead, here we are dealing with an attack on the civilian population, so we are talking about a war crime or even a crime against humanity. These are two completely different categories," the official emphasized.
Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg took to Twitter to condemn the Russian attack, referring to it as a “heinous and cowardly” act.
“Russia’s shelling of civilian infrastructure in #Kyiv and other cities in #Ukraine is heinous and cowardly. These attacks must stop immediately. Glad that our Austrian Embassy staff is safe and sound,” the minister tweeted.
“We will continue to stand with Ukraine,” he concluded.
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte has praised the resolute will of the Ukrainian people.
“Putin is again terrorising innocent civilians on a mass scale in Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine. NL condemns these terrible acts. Putin doesn’t seem to realise the will of the Ukrainian people can’t be broken. Ukraine remains resolute and we will continue to support Ukraine,” Rutte tweeted.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has called on the Western nations to increase arms supplies to Ukraine.
“The only way to stop Putin's genocide is to keep stopping him until he stops. With more weapons, not just more words,” Landsbergis tweeted.
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine’s cities.
“Strongly condemn the ongoing massive Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. Brutality, terror and killing of innocent civilians must immediately stop,” the leader tweeted.
EU High Representative Josep Borrel has strongly condemned the attack, urging Russia to immediately stop its terror, and noting that more military support will be provided to Ukraine.
"Deeply shocked by Russia’s attacks on civilians in #Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine. Such acts have no place in 21st century. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms. We stand with Ukraine. Additional military support from the EU is on its way," Borrell tweeted.
Germany has shared condemnation of the attack by Russia on Ukraine's cities.
"Germany will do everything possible to mobilize additional aid, especially for the restoration and repair of the destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, in particular, energy infrastructure," said Steffen Gebeschreit, the spokesman for the Federal Government of Germany.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinssalu called on the international community to recognize Russia as a "terror sponsoring state."
"I condem in the strongest possible way the ongoing missile attacks on Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and other [🇺🇦] cities. Russia has shown yet again its cowardly face and must be declared terror sponsoring state," the minister wrote on Twitter.
Georgia's President Salome Zourabichvili has reiterated the country's support for Ukraine.
"Terrible news of bombing of Kyiv and other cities. An indiscriminate attack on civilians meant to destroy, to instill fear. But the world has seen the determination of the Ukrainian nation. All of Georgia stands with Ukraine," the leader tweeted.
President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, noted that Putin's regime has once again revealed its criminal essence with brutal attacks against Kyiv and other peaceful cities of Ukraine.
"What is happening now in #Kyiv is sickening. It shows the world, again, the regime we are faced with: One that targets indiscriminately. One that rains terror & death down on children. This is criminal. They will be held to account. Ukraine will win. Europe will not look away," she posted on Twitter.
