Russia Attacks Eastern Ukraine, European Union: We Will Hold The Kremlin To Account

Ursula von der Leyen. (Wikimedia Commons / Government of the Republic of Northern Macedonia)

JAKARTA - The European Union will hold Moscow accountable for the "unjustifiable" attack in Ukraine, the head of the bloc's Executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said Thursday.

"In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine, innocent women, men and children as they face this attack and unwarranted fear for their lives," he said on Twitter.

"We will hold the Kremlin accountable," said von der Leyen.

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday, after the first round of EU sanctions against Russia took effect on Wednesday.

It was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed limited military operations in Eastern Ukraine, prompting the West to react with President Joe Biden calling Moscow responsible, while the UN Secretary General asked Russia to withdraw its troops in the name of humanity.

In a special televised address on Russian state TV, President Putin said Russia had no choice but to defend itself against what he said were threats emanating from modern Ukraine.

The Russian leader said Moscow had no choice but to launch the operation, the scope of which was not immediately clear.

"I have decided to carry out a special military operation," said President Putin.

"The aim is to protect people who have been subjected to intimidation and genocide over the past eight years. And for this we will fight for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine."

"And to bring to justice those who committed many bloody crimes against civilians, including against citizens of the Russian Federation," said President Putin.

In this regard, the UN Secretary-General made a last-minute plea on Wednesday to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war 'in the name of humanity', after the Russian leader announced a military operation against eastern Ukraine.

"President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia," Guterres said, speaking after an emergency Security Council meeting in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the United States and its allies will respond in a united and decisive manner to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said after explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

"President (Vladimir) Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will cost lives and human suffering," Biden said in a statement issued late Wednesday.

"Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction that this attack will cause. The world will hold Russia accountable," he stressed.