As the French President said this morning, France condemns in the strongest terms the military invasion of Ukraine launched by Russia overnight. It also condemns the use of Belarusian territory authorized by the Lukashenko regime to carry out this aggression against a sovereign country. This choice of war is a brutal violation of international law. It will bring immediate, massive consequences and a severe cost, as the Europeans have announced with their partners several times. I express my full solidarity with Ukraine's democratically elected authorities and with the Ukrainian people at this difficult time. France will further strengthen its support for Ukraine, in all forms.
This morning a crisis unit was activated at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' Crisis and Support Centre. In conjunction with the crisis unit activated in Kyiv by our embassy, which is fully operational and focused on its task, it is making active efforts to coordinate support for French nationals who are still on Ukrainian territory at this time. This action will also serve to coordinate the various State departments involved in handling the situation. Advice will be passed on to the French community in real time, as the crisis we're witnessing unfolds.