Russian forces launched their new conflict on Ukraine Thursday whereas two NATO international ministers have been in Kyiv on a go to to point out solidarity with the besieged authorities.

The Estonian and Latvian international ministers have been each within the capital when Russian ordinance started raining down on Ukrainian cities—together with Kyiv—early on Thursday, and as Russian troops and tanks crossed into Ukrainian territory with conflict objectives as but unknown.

Lithuania's international minister was additionally because of arrive within the metropolis on Thursday morning, however the flight was canceled shortly earlier than, the nation's International Ministry advised Newsweek.

A supply in one of many Baltic delegations advised Newsweek from Kyiv they'd not but been capable of depart the capital as of Thursday morning, however that at the very least one international minister would quickly achieve this.

The supply added that the international ministers had, as late as Wednesday night, nonetheless been planning to satisfy with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday.

The three Baltic international ministers—Estonia's Eva-Maria Liimets, Latvia's Edgars Rinkevics, and Lithuania's Gabrielius Landsbergis—launched a joint assertion condemning the Russian invasion, which seems to be multi-pronged and directed in direction of main Ukrainian cities.

Rinkevics additionally ordered the evacuation of all Latvian diplomats from the capital in direction of the Western metropolis of Lviv and referred to as on all Latvian residents to go away the nation.

The Estonian International Ministry advised Newsweek Thursday morning that Liimets was en route again to Estonia as of simply earlier than 4 a.m. ET.

"Expensive Ukrainian pals, we're in your historic capital Kyiv, we help you and do something attainable in order that the aggressor can pay the best attainable worth," they wrote, including the nationwide chorus: "Slava Ukraini!", that means "Glory to Ukraine."

"We would want to urgently present Ukrainian individuals with weapons, ammunition, and another form of navy help to defend itself in addition to financial, monetary and political help and help, humanitarian assist.

"On this tough second, we stand united with the individuals of Ukraine."

All three ministers posted the joint assertion on Twitter. They referred to as for rapid and complete sanctions towards Russia and intensive help for the Ukrainian authorities, now reportedly beneath assault from a number of instructions.

"This act of aggression will not be acceptable, it is a blatant violation of the worldwide regulation, of all worldwide norms and against the law towards [the] Ukrainian people who we condemn," the ministers wrote.

"All of us in the entire worldwide neighborhood have to condemn it within the strongest attainable means, to impose the strongest attainable sanctions on Russia, together with disengaging Russia from SWIFT, isolating it politically and being agency in our help to the sovereignty, territorial integrity of impartial Ukraine."

Liimets added in a separate Twitter put up that the assault was "sheer awfulness and pointless." Hours earlier than, the international minister had posted a photograph of herself outdoors the well-known Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.

Landsbergis wrote that the conflict thrust upon Ukraine will echo far past its borders. "We in Lithuania comprehend it very effectively that Ukraine is preventing not only for Ukraine, however for us within the area, Europe and everybody within the democratic world," the minister mentioned.

"It's our obligation not simply to punish Russia for its actions however to assist Ukraine with all and each means out there. Now."

Rinkevics wrote: "February 24, 2022 a date that can reside in infamy."

Ukraine soldiers in Kyiv inspect shell damage
Police and safety personnel examine the stays of a shell in a road in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 24, 2022.SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

Correction 4:05 a.m. ET, 2/24/22: This text has been up to date to notice that Lithuanian International Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was not in Kyiv when the Russian assault started.