NATO nations on the alliance’s so-called “eastern flank” condemned Russia’s early morning attack on Ukraine, with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis labeling it a "very grave breach of international law.”
In a Twitter statement on February 24, Iohannis wrote that Russia’s attack on Ukraine “will be met with the strongest reaction by the international community inflicting massive consequences [and the] most severe cost.”
I strongly condemn on behalf of RO🇷🇴 the military aggression by RU against UA,another very grave breach of international law, of 🇺🇦sovereignty&integrity.This will be met with the strongest reaction by the international community inflicting massive consequences&t/ most severe cost
— Klaus Iohannis (@KlausIohannis) February 24, 2022
Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, meanwhile, called for the activation of NATO's Article 4, which sets forth a mechanism of consultation among allies.
Following t/Russian aggression against Ukraine, I instructed t/RO🇷🇴 Mission to @NATO to ask together w/other Allies t/activation of art. 4 of Washington Treaty - which sets forth a mechanism of consultation among Allies - on t/impact of t/current situation on t/security of Allies
— Bogdan Aurescu (@BogdanAurescu) February 24, 2022
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Twitter that Moscow’s military action was a “barbaric act of aggression" and an "absolutely unjustifiable act of aggression toward an independent country, which cannot remain without reaction from EU and NATO."
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that “we must immediately respond to Russia's criminal aggression on Ukraine. Europe and the free world has to stop Putin. Today's European Council should approve fiercest possible sanctions."
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska said on Twitter: "I strongly condemn Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. This act undermines the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and constitutes a grave breach of international law."
I strongly condemn 🇷🇺%27s military aggression against 🇺🇦. This act undermines the sovereignty and independence of #Ukraine and constitutes a grave breach of international law. @DmytroKuleba @MFA_Ukraine
— Minister Teodora Genchovska (@TGenchovskaMFA) February 24, 2022
At the United Nations, Bulgarian Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva said, “Ukraine, you’re not alone.”
However, the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains friendly ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, had not yet explicitly condemned the attack.
SEE ALSO: NATO Chief Says Alliance Will Defend 'Every Inch' Of Its Territory, As It Sets New SummitBut Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said war was "the worst-case scenario," and he reiterated that Hungary fully supports Ukraine's territorial integrity.
"The task now...is to guarantee the security of Hungarian people," Szijjarto said.
"Our embassy in Kyiv is operating, and ready to help Hungarians who are in the Ukraine right now," he said.