Chinese Media Provides Unusually Detailed Coverage of Major Countries' Statements Condemning Russia

Major Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, UK, EU, and Korea Condemn Putin
China Urges All Countries to Exercise Restraint to Prevent Uncontrollable Situation

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] European leaders condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and urged an immediate halt to military actions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chinese media outlet Pengpai reported that French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Russia's decision to go to war with Ukraine on the 24th. President Macron stated that Russia must immediately cease military actions and that France would support Ukraine, Pengpai reported.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also issued a statement immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the special military operation, declaring that Italy would cooperate with European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on the same day, "Russia is violating the fundamental order and rules of the international community," adding, "The international community will not forget this shameful day." Minister Baerbock also expressed solidarity with Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Johnson, immediately after news of Russia's attack on Ukraine broke, stated, "President Putin has launched an unjustified attack on Ukraine," and added, "The UK and its allies will respond firmly."

European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an unjust attack via social media on the same day, stating that the EU would hold Russia accountable, Pengpai reported.

Pengpai also reported that South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed regret over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and announced that South Korea would join the international community's sanctions against Russia.

Unlike the major countries condemning Russia, China urged restraint among the involved parties. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on the same day, saying, "China is closely monitoring the current situation," and "All countries should exercise restraint to prevent the situation from becoming uncontrollable."

Hua Chunying, Deputy Director-General (Vice Minister) of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the position expressed the previous day during a regular briefing regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating, "(The Ukraine issue) has a complex historical background and circumstances, and today's situation is the result of various causes acting together."

Deputy Director-General Hua added, "Security must be sustainable through cooperation and must naturally be respected," and "China hopes that the situation will not worsen through dialogue and negotiation."

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military announced on the same day that it had shot down a Russian aircraft in eastern Ukraine, but the Russian Ministry of Defense denied the claim, stating that the aircraft was not shot down.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.