Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Eastern Ukraine in what many interpreted as a declaration of war.
Reporters and witnesses on the ground reported a short time later the sounds of shelling in multiple cities.
In a televised address, Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine. He added that Russia doesn’t have a goal to occupy Ukraine. Putin said the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime.”
Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”
He accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.
He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a “demilitarization” of Ukraine. Putin said that all Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the zone of combat.
President Biden early Thursday morning expressed solidarity with Ukraine as Russia launched what Biden described as an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” with shelling reported in multiple Ukrainian cities.
“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,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
“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.”
Biden is set to meet with Group of Seven (G-7) allies on Thursday morning and will deliver remarks on next steps targeting Russia.