How world leaders and public figures reacted to the Russian-Ukrainian war
How world leaders and public figures reacted to the Russian-Ukrainian war
Undoubtedly, the Russian-Ukrainian war received abundant media coverage on various platforms, and with the widespread of social media, it has become possible for everyone to express their opinion about the crises the world is going through.
Reactions and comments about the Russian war on Ukraine varied between the furious Western camp represented by USA and the European Union, and the indifferent Eastern camp represented by China, India, and Russia. In the following lines, we will take a look at how world leaders and public figures around the world reacted to the devastating war that has not yet ended in Ukraine.
Egyptian reactions
Egyptian President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi” said during his speech at the COP27 Climate Conference: “The world is facing a major crisis, which is the Russian-Ukrainian war”. The president made it clear that he is making an appeal from the conference of parties in Sharm El-Sheikh, to stop this war from which many countries are suffering, and he is ready to work and support any efforts to stop this war.
Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister “Sameh Shoukry” commented: «Egypt hopes for all parties to return to dialogue and adhere to the principles of international law.” He also added: «The repercussions of the crisis and the sanctions imposed on Russia have led to increased prices in all countries of the world, which motivates us to quickly put an end to this war in accordance with international norms».
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, “Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb,” tweeted on his Twitter account: “Wars will only bring more destruction and hatred to our world, and conflicts can only be settled through dialogue. I call on Russia and Ukraine to return back to the voice of reason, and I call on world leaders and international institutions to support any efforts or solutions to end this war and bring back peace between the two neighbors.”
Pope “Tawadros II” of Alexandria said during the weekly prayer from the Church of “St. Mary & St. Bishoy” in the “St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral” in Cairo, after the outbreak of the war: «We in the Coptic Church, deeply saddened by this war, and it is very unfortunate what we see and what we hear. The war began between two neighbor countries, having the same church, and their people used to be one nation, they even have a common language, not to mention that both have a good relationship with Egypt. We are in deep pain over the casualties and the injured».
World Leaders reactions
Chinese President “Xi Jinping” said: «All parties should jointly support Russia and Ukraine in conducting dialogue and negotiations that lead to results and peace… The United States and NATO should conduct dialogue with Russia to address the core of the Ukrainian crisis and consider the security concerns of both countries, Russia and Ukraine”.
On the other hand, Indian Prime Minister “Narendra Modi” stressed: «Diplomacy is the only solution to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, with the need for work to find a solution to ensure peace, prosperity, and security in the world”. «During the past century, the Second World War caused massive devastation to the world, but after the war, the leaders at that time made serious efforts for a return to the path of peace, and now it is our turn», Modi said in a speech to the participants in the G-20 summit in the Indonesian city of Bali.
While «Samuel Warburg», the Regional Spokesman for the US State Department, commented: «It was Russian President Vladimir Putin who started the war, and he is the one who has the ability today to end it”. «This war is brutal, and we see missiles hitting children, women, and hospitals in Ukraine. We also see the effects and repercussions of this war, especially for developing countries that depend on wheat and food products from Ukraine and fertilizers from Russia». He added: «Now is the time to end this war, and the United States reiterates the call for President Putin to withdraw his forces from Ukrainian territory.»
President of the European Commission, “Ursula von der Leyen” said: «It is President Putin who brought war back to Europe. In these tough times, the European Union and its people stand by Ukraine and its people. We are facing an unprecedented act of aggression by the Russian leadership against an independent country. Russia’s goal is not only Donbass, not only Ukraine, but also threatening the stability in Europe, and the entire international peace system. We will hold President Putin accountable for that.»
German Chancellor “Olaf Scholz” commented: «The Russian attack on Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law for which there is no justification. Germany condemns this reckless act of President Putin in the strongest possible terms in solidarity with Ukraine and its people”. «Russia must stop this military action immediately”.
French President “Emmanuel Macron” said: “France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to start a war with Ukraine. Russia must immediately end its military operations.
The (former) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom “Boris Johnson” expressed his shock, saying: “I have been horrified by the events taking place in Ukraine and I have spoken to President “Zelensky” to discuss the next steps. President “Putin” has chosen the path of bloodshed and destruction through this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and its allies will respond decisively”.
In the same context, the President of Finland, “Sauli Niinisto”, said: «I strongly condemn the military actions that Russia initiated in Ukraine, which is an attack on the entire European security system. We feel deep sympathy for Ukraine and are looking for ways to increase our support to it.»
“The overlapping crises of the war in Ukraine, the ongoing pandemic, and skyrocketing food and fuel prices are all painful reminders of the need for governments to be prepared to manage massive, unexpected shocks”, said “Anna Berdy”, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, «Antonio Guterres,» appealed to the Russian President, saying: «President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your soldiers back to Russia. In the name of humanity, do not allow the worst war since the beginning of the century to begin in Europe.»
How global figures reacted?
Pope “Francis” said in a message on the “International Day of the Poor” in the Roman Catholic Church: «The war in Ukraine has now been added to the regional wars that for years have caused enormous loss of life and destruction. However, the situation here is more complicated, due to the direct intervention of the “superpowers” with the aim of imposing its will.”
US actor “Angelina Jolie” said: “We are praying for the people of Ukraine; my current focus is that everything possible is done to ensure that the basic human rights of these displaced people and refugees in a war zone are protected.”
The Russian world chess champion, «Garry Kasparov», commented: «Germany has contributed greatly to Putin’s arrogance, through its dependence mainly on Russian gas, which led Putin to believe that he can dictate his terms to Europe, and quite frankly, there is no doubt that Russia will pass through a very hard time, it will take years, if not decades, before the Russians can come to terms with the Ukrainians again.»
Portuguese football star “Cristiano Ronaldo” posted a message on his Instagram account: «We need to make a better world for our children, we pray for peace in our world.»
