In a possible sign of a broader attack on the country, ABC News’ team on the ground in Ukraine heard explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv mere minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putinannounced on state television the start of a “special military operation” in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, saying that Russia would now “strive for the demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine.”
He urged Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and returned home and warned foreign countries not to interfere in the conflict. The move coincided with the start of a special late-night session of the UN Security Council, at which the U.S., France, and other members of the UNSC are working on a draft resolution to condemn Russia for its actions, according to France’s permanent representative to the U.N.
Shortly before Putin’s announcement, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a direct appeal to Putin: “If indeed an operation is being prepared, 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.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, President Joe Biden condemned the attack and vowed that the U.S. and its allies will “respond in a decisive way” and the world “will hold Russia accountable.”
Biden said, “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. 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.”
“I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. 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,” he continued. “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.”
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, at an afternoon press briefing on Wednesday, said Russian forces are now prepared for an invasion of Ukraine. “What we see is that Russian forces continue to assemble closer to the border and put themselves in an advanced stage of readiness to act to conduct military action in Ukraine,” Kirby said. “We believe that they are ready.”
He said that the U.S. did not know when or how an invasion might begin, but repeated President Biden’s message that if a large-scale invasion happens, it will be a “war of choice” for Putin. “There will be suffering, there will be sacrifice, and all of that must and should be laid at his feet, because he’s doing this by choice,” Kirby said.
Source-ABC
