Russia-Ukraine War Update: World Leaders Condemn Invasion, Warn Of Heavy Sanctions

The United States and world leaders have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and warned of heavy sanctions to follow if Vladimir Putin did not withdraw his forces.

Putin authorized troops to carry out a special military operation in the Donbas region of Ukraine on Wednesday night. Shortly after, Ukraine officials reported missile attacks and gunfire in several cities.

The 15-nation United Nations Security Council convened for an emergency meeting late Wednesday night, which was the second this week and the fourth since Jan. 31, as tensions escalated between Russia and Ukraine.

President Joe Biden late Wednesday issued a statement saying the "world will hold Russia accountable" over the military onslaught against Ukraine that he warned will cause "catastrophic loss of life."

Biden also moved ahead with sanctions on the company in charge of building Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline after blocking such measures last year using a national security waiver.

European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday denounced Russia's attack on Ukraine, and vowed to hold Moscow "accountable."

"We strongly condemn Russia's unjustified attack on Ukraine. In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives," the EU chief wrote on Twitter.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg strongly condemned Russia's "reckless and unprovoked attack" on Ukraine and said NATO allies would meet to tackle the consequences of Moscow's "aggressive actions."

"I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss (the) next steps. President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively," U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also sent a message on Twitter condemning the act and calling it an “appalling, unprovoked attack”.

“We stand with Ukraine and we will work with our international partners to respond to this terrible act of aggression,” the Foreign Secretary said.

At a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the developments in Ukraine, India said the hostility would spiral into a major crisis.

"We express our deep concern over the developments, which if not handled carefully, may well undermine the peace and security of the region," India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, said, according to Business Standard.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack, calling it a violation of "Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of "Germany's full solidarity in this hard hour" in a phone call, according to a tweet from German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.