US, Europe vow Russia will pay for Ukraine assault: ‘Putin has chosen bloodshed’

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the “world will hold Russia accountable” over its attack against Ukraine that he warned will cause “catastrophic loss of life.”

Meanwhile EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel said Russia will be held “accountable” for its attack on Ukraine. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the “horrific events in Ukraine,” saying Russia’s President Vladimir Putin “has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack… The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

In a statement issued shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of military operations in Ukraine, Biden said he would address the US public Thursday to outline the “consequences” for Russia, calling the attack “unprovoked and unjustified.”

He also spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky late Wednesday night in Washington, the White House said, vowing “support and assistance.”

Biden condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces,” adding that Zelensky requested the US president “call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly” against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “flagrant aggression.”

The US president was due to join a virtual, closed-doors meeting of G7 leaders — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — at 9:00 a.m. eastern time Thursday. The White House said his remarks to the public would come in early afternoon in Washington.

EU leaders said: “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. We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said Russia had made decision to “wage war” on Ukraine and “must immediately put an end to its military operations.

“France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands by Ukrainians and is working with its partners and allies to end the war,” he added.

Macron had repeatedly spoken to President Vladimir Putin seeking a diplomatic solution to the standoff but to no avail.

EU leaders were to hold a snap summit late Thursday, called before overnight Russian airstrikes hit Ukrainian cities.

On Tuesday, the US government joined European allies in imposing sanctions on two Russian banks, Moscow’s sovereign debt, several oligarchs and other measures.

On Wednesday, Biden announced he was imposing sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany — one of energy-rich Moscow’s highest-profile energy and geopolitical projects. Germany had earlier announced it would block the project from proceeding.

US officials said that any escalation by Russia in Ukraine — which has now occurred — would be met with ever tougher sanctions that could target bigger banks, more oligarchs and a halt to exports of high-tech equipment.

“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden said.

“Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”