Estonia condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine: 'Evil is real'
Early on Thursday morning, Ukrainian officials announced the country was under attack from Russia. ERR News has gathered together reactions from Estonia and the region below.
At 5:58 a.m., Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter: "Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now."
Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
The BBC reported Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a "special military operation".
Estonia's politicians and officials were quick to react.
President Alar Karis wrote, "Evil is real" along with the "#SlavaUkraini" hashtag, meaning "Glory to Ukraine".
Evil is real. #SlavaUkraini
— Alar Karis (@AlarKaris) February 24, 2022
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wrote: "I condemn in the gravest manner Russia's large-scale military attack against Ukraine. Aggression is a crime that demands the clearest international reaction and strong response. We are with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people at this dark hour. We #StandWithUkraine. Слава Україні!"
I condemn in the gravest manner #Russia's large-scale military attack against #Ukraine. Aggression is a crime that demands the clearest international reaction and strong response. We are with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people at this dark hour. We #StandWithUkraine. Слава Україні!
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 24, 2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets (Center), who is in Kyiv on an official visit, condemned the attack on Ukraine. "Sheer awfulness and unnecessary," she wrote on social media.
I strongly condemn #Russia's atrocious attack on . Sheer awfulness and unnecessary. #StopRussia #StandwithUkraine
— Eva-Maria Liimets (@eliimets) February 24, 2022
Ukraine's Ambassador to Estonia Mariana Betsa wrote: "Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
‼️Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/JcnVM25w43
— Mariana Betsa (@Mariana_Betsa) February 24, 2022
Estonia's representatives to the United Nations wrote: "We unequivocally condemn the announcement by President Putin and the military operation in Ukraine. It is an unprovoked and unlawful act of aggression."
It also posted a joint statement from the three Baltic states.
We unequivocally condemn the announcement by President Putin and the military operation in Ukraine. It is an unprovoked and unlawful act of aggression.
— Estonia in UN (@EstoniaUN) February 24, 2022
joint statement at UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine https://t.co/0Q4YnoDupN #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/rKJfnfmdj5
Former President Kersti Kaljulaid said: "Untolerable evil has been released. But Ukraine will fight, Ukraine will win and we are with Ukrainians. Слава Україні!"
Untolerable evil has been released. But Ukraine will fight, Ukraine will win and we are with Ukrainians. Слава Україні!
— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) February 24, 2022
Estonian diplomat and leader of the EU's mission to Ukraine Matti Maasikas, based in Kyiv, posted a picture of a cityscape with flames on the horizon and a caption "Near Boryspol".
Near Boryspol pic.twitter.com/juRlLWcBCu
— Matti Maasikas (@MattiMaasikas) February 24, 2022
Chairman of the Riigikogu's Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson (Reform) wrote: "Russia will never win this war."
He urged NATO allies to invoke article 4 "immediately" and to "launch defense plans".
Russia will never win this war.
— Marko Mihkelson (@markomihkelson) February 24, 2022
Estonian MEP Riho Terras wrote it is important for the U.S., EU, and NATO to "stand up for their values and support #Ukraine at this difficult time".
It is very important that the United States. #EU and #NATO stand up for their values and support #Ukraine at this difficult time @EP_President @poroshenko @MFA_Ukraine @EP_ForeignAff @general_ben https://t.co/LkKJJWquzm
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 24, 2022
President of Latvia Eglis Levits wrote: "I condemn the full-scale invasion that President Putin has launched on Ukraine. A firm reaction from the international community must follow. NATO will defend itself and its values. We #StandWithUkraine."
I condemn the full-scale invasion that President Putin has launched on Ukraine. A firm reaction from the international community must follow. NATO will defend itself and its values. We #StandWithUkraine.
— Egils Levits (@valstsgriba) February 24, 2022
Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics, who is also on a visit to Kyiv, wrote: "President Putin just announced [the] beginning of open and unprovoked war against Ukraine, Latvia condemns this act of agression, international community must restrain [the] aggressor. The responsibility lays with Russia and initiators of this must be held accountable."
President Putin just announced beginning of open and unprovoked war against #Ukraine, #Latvia condemns this act of agression, international community must restrain aggressor. The responsibility lays with Russia and initiators of this must be held accountable #StandWithUkraine
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) February 24, 2022
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg condemned "Russia's reckless attack on Ukraine" saying it puts "at risk countless civilian lives".
"This is a grave breach of international law & a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security," he wrote.
I strongly condemn #Russia's reckless attack on #Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives. This is a grave breach of international law & a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. #NATO Allies will meet to address Russia's renewed aggression. https://t.co/FPpyuzmUXD
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) February 24, 2022
President of Finland Sauli Niinistö wrote: "Russia's acts target Ukraine, but at the same time they are an attack on the entire European security order. We feel deep compassion towards Ukraine and are seeking ways to increase our support to Ukraine."
I strongly condemn the military measures Russia has started in Ukraine. Russia's acts target Ukraine, but at the same time they are an attack on the entire European security order. We feel deep compassion towards Ukraine and are seeking ways to increase our support to Ukraine.
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) February 24, 2022
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote: "We in Lithuania know it very well that Ukraine is fighting not just for Ukraine, but for us in the region, Europe and everyone in the democratic world. It is our obligation not just to punish Russia for its actions but to help Ukraine with all and every means available. Now."
We in Lithuania know it very well that Ukraine is fighting not just for Ukraine, but for us in the region, Europe and everyone in the democratic world. It is our obligation not just to punish Russia for its actions but to help Ukraine with all and every means available. Now.
— Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) February 24, 2022
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda wrote: "I strongly condemn Russia's military attack against #Ukraine. It endangers millions of innocent people& undermines the foundations of international order.
|It is up for the West now to respond appropriately!"
I strongly condemn Russia's military attack against #Ukraine. It endangers millions of innocent people& undermines the foundations of international order.
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) February 24, 2022
It is up for the West now to respond appropriately!#StandWithUkraine
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Editor: Helen Wright
