The President of France Emmanuel Macron made a statement on his Facebook page, which says:

There was a deliberate and conscious choice to launch the war when we could still negotiate peace. Tonight, we as Europeans, decided to respond.

As Europeans, we have decided to inflict very severe blows on Moscow, on people, on the sectors of finance, energy, transport, export, on visas. The Belarusian regime, an accomplice, will also be targeted.

As Europeans, we have decided on economic aid for Ukraine in the amount of 1.2 billion Euros. It is unprecedented. We will continue to deliver military equipment and support the population in this ordeal.

As Europeans, we have decided to go further to protect our fellow citizens. By strengthening our staff in Estonia, by accelerating our deployment in Romania, by being mobilized in the face of disinformation: we will be at the side of our allies infallibly.

It should be reminded that in the early morning of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a message announcing the decision to launch a special military operation in Donbas.

“Circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action. The Donbas People’s Republics have appealed to Russia. I have decided to launch a special military operation in this regard,” Putin said in a televised address to Russian citizens.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that from 05:00 (07:00 Yerevan time) on Thursday, the Russian Armed Forces carried out intensive attacks on Ukrainian military facilities and airports.

The Verkhovna Rada has declared martial law in Ukraine.