War in Ukraine: Joe Biden denounces an unjustified attack, for which only Moscow is responsible

Alexis Guilleux (in New York), edited by Solène Leroux with AFP 11:45 a.m., February 24, 2022

“President Putin has chosen (to launch) a premeditated war that will cause catastrophic human suffering and loss,” Joe Biden said in a statement.

The American president quickly reacted to the situation overnight, denouncing an unjustified and premeditated attack by Russia.

At Kiev's request, the UN Security Council again met urgently overnight for the second time in three days.

"Moscow is solely responsible," assured Joe Biden.

“The world will demand accountability,” he continued.

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The American president promises a united and determined response from allies and severe sanctions against Russia.

A meeting of G7 members is already scheduled for 3 p.m. French time.

Joe Biden will speak immediately at 6 p.m.

He already spoke less than an hour ago with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A vote expected at the UN

These hostilities started during a United Nations Security Council.

The diplomats first read the interventions they had planned, then speaking of Russian provocations and calling for de-escalation.

They were overtaken by current events, and therefore began to strongly condemn Moscow's actions.

"Russia has therefore made the choice of war. France condemns in the strongest terms the launching of these operations", declared Nicolas de Rivière, the French ambassador to the UN.

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"This decision, announced as this council is meeting, illustrates the contempt in which Russia holds international law and the United Nations. Russia must be accountable to the Security Council," he continued.

On the United Nations side, a resolution must be tabled the day before a vote expected for Friday.