Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD)

and

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

have sharply condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Scholz spoke on Thursday morning in Berlin of a "blatant breach of international law".

Von der Leyen said that in these dark hours, thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who fear for their lives.

Scholz said there was no justification for Russian President Vladimir Putin's "reckless act".

"This is a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe," he said.

Germany's solidarity was shared with Ukraine and its people.

"Russia must stop this military action immediately," said the Chancellor, adding: "We will coordinate closely today within the framework of the G7, NATO and the EU."

Von der Leyen tweeted that Russia must withdraw its military and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.

The EU will quickly decide on further measures against Russia.

"The EU stands with Ukraine," she wrote.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

(Greens) also

sharply condemned the Russian military operation against Ukraine.

“By attacking Ukraine, Russia is breaking with the most elementary rules of the international order.

The world community will not forget Russia on this day of shame,” said the Green politician in a first reaction on Thursday.

Germany will react together with partners.

"All our solidarity goes to Ukraine," wrote Baerbock.

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck 

(Greens) said: "This day is a turning point for Europe and the world." The deliberately brought about Russian aggression will bring suffering to many people, said the Federal Minister of Economics on Thursday morning.

The "unbelievable" happened, "we have a land war in Europe that we thought could only be found in history books." Habeck rated Russia's military action as a "shameless breach of international law".

For Russia, this attack "will have serious political and economic consequences," he said.

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner

has meanwhile announced a harsh reaction from the West against Russia.

The attack on Ukraine was "a nightmare," tweeted the FDP politician.

"Putin exposed himself as a liar." Together with the partners from the EU, NATO and G7, they show solidarity with Ukraine.

"The Kremlin will experience tough #sanctions," writes Lindner.

Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht

calls on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops.

"I appeal to President Putin: Withdraw your troops immediately," Lambrecht said.

"We stretched out our hand to Russia for negotiations and he refused it." But it is never too late for dialogue.

"Nevertheless, Moscow should not be mistaken: NATO and the EU stand together and we stand up for each other," said Lambrecht.

"Right now, of course, this is especially true for our allies on the eastern flank of the alliance, who can count on our full support."

CDU chairman Friedrich Merz

has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of waging war on democracy with his attack on Ukraine.

"It's war in Europe.

It's not just a war against Ukraine, it's a war against democracy, against our freedom," Merz said on Thursday on ZDF's "Morgenmagazin".

The fact that NATO is threatening Putin has been "a bugbear of Russian propaganda for many weeks and months".

NATO threatens nobody.

Rather, Putin feels threatened by the democracy movement in Ukraine and Belarus.

US President Joe Biden

announced a "joint and decisive response to the unjustified attack by the Russian military".

"President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring catastrophic human casualties and suffering," he said.

British Prime

Minister Boris Johnson

says he is "appalled at the terrible events in Ukraine".

He spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the next steps, he writes on Twitter.

"President Putin has chosen the path of bloodshed and destruction."

French President Emmanuel Macron

 called on Moscow to "end its military operations immediately".

France condemns "Russia's decision to wage war against Ukraine," he said on Twitter.

“France is in solidarity with Ukraine.

It stands with the Ukrainians and works with its partners and allies to end the war.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres

urgently called for peace.

In the name of humanity, Russian President Vladimir Putin should withdraw his troops from the neighboring country, Guterres demanded in New York on Wednesday evening (local time).

After an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine crisis, Guterres said a war in Europe was threatening to become the worst conflict of the century.

He fears devastation in Ukraine, tragic consequences for Russia and unforeseeable consequences for the global economy.

Guterres spoke of the saddest day of his more than five-year tenure as UN Secretary-General.

Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of Slovakia

, which directly borders Ukraine, also strongly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine: "This is an inexcusable, barbaric act on Russia's part, a gross violation of international law.

Before our eyes, Russian imperialism has resurfaced in its aggressive, militant form.” He wrote this on his Facebook page and said it verbatim in a telephone interview with the TA3 TV news channel in Bratislava.