As Russia's brutal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine unfolds, nations around the world react to Russian thug Vladimir Putin's action by pledging support to Ukraine and punishment for Russia. Here's a round up of international responses. Some additional reportage here from the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Putin's war making has caused the Russian ruble to fall to an all-time low as its market index plunged on fears of sanctions against the Russian economy grow, as CNBC reports:
"The dollar was up more than 10% against the Russian currency as the day began, sending the ruble to its lowest level ever against the dollar. Moscow's main equities index, the MOEX, fell as much as 45% after trading was temporarily suspended shortly after opening, its worst one-day drop on record. [snip]
The MOEX was trading roughly 33% lower at that time, while Russia's dollar-denominated RTS index was down nearly 35%." (our emphasis)
There are signs are that the Russian public was caught off guard by Putin following through on his threats against Ukraine, and are expressing unease over the humanitarian and economic consequences:
"Pollsters said that most Russians probably supported Mr. Putin’s formal recognition of the Russian-backed territories in eastern Ukraine this week, especially because they had no choice in the matter and because no significant political force inside the country has advocated against it.
War is a different matter altogether, though; in recent days, Russia has not seen any of the jubilation that accompanied the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Going to war is one of Russians’ greatest fears, according to the Levada Center, an independent pollster. And after Mr. Putin’s angry speech and his cryptic televised meeting with his Security Council on Monday, Russians realized that possibility was lurching closer toward becoming reality." (our emphasis)
While many older Russians are buying Putin's dishonest rationale for invading Ukraine as defending Russia's national security and bringing Ukraine into Russia's expanding orbit, many younger generations are not sure where this aggression will lead, and what the cost will be in the short and long term. On that note, Ukrainian President Zelensky, who tried to call Putin yesterday but was rebuffed by the arrogant autocrat, went directly to the Russian people with an appeal to pull back from war:
"Today I initiated a phone call with the president of the Russian federation. The result was silence. Though the silence should be in Donbass. That’s why I want to address today the people of Russia. I am addressing you not as a president, I am addressing you as a citizen of Ukraine. More than 2,000 km of the common border is dividing us. Along this border your troops are stationed, almost 200,000 soldiers, thousands of military vehicles. Your leaders approved them to make a step forward, to the territory of another country. And this step can be the beginning of a big war on European continent."
This morning, the lurching began with its full consequences yet to be seen.
