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(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Russian President Vladimir Putin has "chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction" with his attack on Ukraine and that the UK and its allies would respond "decisively".
It came as Ukraine's president declared martial law and Russia's military said it had targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and had not targeted populated areas.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister will chair a Cobra committee meeting at 0730 GMT to discuss the response to the "horrific attacks".
In a statement on Twitter, Johnson said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss "next steps".
"I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps," he said.
"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."
A Downing Street spokesperson said Johnson had assured Zelensky the West "would not stand by as President Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people".
"The prime minister said he hoped Ukraine could resist and that Ukraine and its people were in the thoughts of everyone in the UK people during this dark time," the spokesperson said.
Putin announced the action during a televised address early on Thursday morning, saying the move was a response to threats from Ukraine.
He said Russia does not have a goal to occupy Ukraine, but the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian "regime".
He also warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences they have never seen".
Putin accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia's demand to prevent Ukraine from joining Nato and offer Moscow security guarantees.
He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a "demilitarisation" of Ukraine, adding that all Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the zone of combat.
US President Joe Biden denounced Russia's decision to conduct a military operation in Ukraine as an "unprovoked and unjustified attack", declaring "the world will hold Russia accountable".
By John Besley, PA
source: PA
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