Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Western countries condemned Russia’s actions in support of Donbass and called for an end to the military operation on the territory of Ukraine, TASS news agency reported.

The United States, Great Britain and other countries announced their intention to impose "unprecedented" and "far-reaching" sanctions against the Russian Federation, threatening large-scale and serious consequences for Russia. The EU was about to weaken Russia’s economic base and the country’s ability to modernize.

TASS collected the first reaction of Western countries to Russia’s actions to protect Donbass.

Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics turned to Russia with a request to help repel the aggression of Ukraine. On the morning of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation to protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.

According to him, the United States and its allies do not change their position on the principles of ensuring security in Europe and non-expansion of NATO, despite numerous attempts by the Russian Federation to reach an agreement. At the same time, the West uses Kiev against Moscow. Russia, as the president said, will strive "to demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, but does not plan to occupy Ukrainian territories.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the armed forces are hitting Ukraine’s military infrastructure with precision-guided weapons. Cities are not attacked.

"Far-reaching" Western sanctions

US President Joe Biden, in a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, condemned the Russian operation. Washington and its allies intend to impose tough sanctions against Russia on Thursday, 24 February.

The UK government, along with its allies, intends to adopt an "unprecedented package of sanctions" against Russia in light of the operation in Ukraine to "punish a horrific decision."

The European Union also promised "large-scale and serious consequences for Russia." The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, specified that this is the toughest package of sanctions in the history of the community, it will affect the strategic sectors of the Russian economy, access to key technologies and markets. "We will weaken the economic base of Russia and its ability to modernize," - added the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The EU will also freeze Russian assets in the community and stop Russian banks from accessing the European financial market.

Australia has already announced the second package of anti-Russian sanctions. The black list of the country will include 25 Russians. Sanctions will be announced against army commanders, deputy defense ministers and Russian mercenaries "who are responsible for unprovoked aggression against Ukraine", as well as against four organizations involved in the "development and sale of military technologies and weapons." The Australian government is working on another package against members of the Russian parliament.

Poland and Romania have asked NATO to invoke Article 4 of the alliance treaty, which convenes the Council for consultations when one of the participating countries feels a threat to its security. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the operation "a reckless and unprovoked attack" and promised to discuss the "consequences" of Russia’s actions with the support of Ukraine within the framework of the alliance.