Ukraine will remain free.

The commentary was written by 10 ambassadors and high commissioners residing in Singapore.

• Kateryna Zelenko, Ukrainian Ambassador to Singapore
• William Hodgman, High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore
• Jean-Dominique Ieraci, High Commissioner of Canada to Singapore
• The European Union Ambassador to Singapore, Iwona Piórko, spoke on behalf of all EU member states' ambassadors to Singapore.
• Jun Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore
• Jo Tyndall, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Singapore
• Eivind S. Homme, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Singapore
• Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, Ambassador of Turkey
• Kara Owen, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Singapore
• Jonathan Kaplan, United States Ambassador to Singapore

Russia's attack against Ukraine is condemned by the EU, G-7, Allies, and partners as premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified.

The ongoing conflict in Europe, caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has resulted in immense pain and suffering for all those affected. The loss of peace and stability in the region is a global concern, and we must take action to stop the violence. Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to wage war on Ukraine has led to catastrophic consequences for innocent people. The world stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they face this brutal attack from Russia's military forces.

Putin has been planning this invasion for months, if not longer. He directed the movement of more than 175,000 troops and military equipment into positions along the Ukrainian border – the largest buildup of military forces in Europe since World War II. Putin flagrantly violated international law when he decreed Russia would recognize the purported “independence” of two so-called “republics” on Ukraine’s sovereign territory – “republics” Russia has propped up and controlled through political and armed proxies since 2014. These actions were political theater, centered on baseless claims, and falsely staged to create the pretext for Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24. The world is not fooled.

Despite the diplomatic efforts of Ukraine, the US, the EU, the OSCE, and their allies and partners to address Russia's alleged security concerns, Russia rejected every good faith effort. We urged Russia to engage diplomatically, avoid conflict, and prevent human suffering. However, while the UNSC was meeting to support Ukrainian sovereignty, Putin declared war.

Russia's aerial bombings, troop deployments, and tank assaults have indiscriminately targeted peaceful cities in Ukraine, resulting in incalculable costs for innocent people. Reports suggest that hospitals, orphanages, and kindergartens have been destroyed by Russian forces.

Russia's invasion is a clear violation of international law and the principles we as an international community have agreed to respect, including national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of states to make their own foreign and security policy decisions. Our friends in Singapore have expressed similar concerns and have taken action to uphold international law and the rules-based order, such as imposing export controls and blocking certain Russian banks and financial institutions linked to Russia.

The Group of Seven (G7), the European Union and its Member States, allies and friends of Ukraine, and Russia are responsible for the death and destruction this invasion is bringing. We stand together against Russia's illegal war and will continue to respond in a united and decisive way. Our leaders have stated that the world will hold the Kremlin accountable.

The United States, European Union, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries have agreed to impose significant economic penalties on Russia, which will limit its ability to participate in the global economy and finance its military. The Group of Seven (G7) leaders met on February 24 and decided to restrict Russia's ability to conduct business in U.S. dollars, Euros, pounds, and yen.

The G7 and the European Union imposed strong sanctions and new restrictions on exports to Russia. We cut off major Russian banks from the international financial system and sanctioned additional Russian elites and their family members. Additionally, we stopped the Russian government and its state-owned enterprises from raising money from United States or European investors, and plan to cut off more than half of Russia's high-tech imports.

Russia's strategic sectors will be severely impacted by the unified actions of our allies and partners, which include measures to limit its access to finance and technology. This will ultimately isolate Russia from financial activities worldwide and degrade its industrial capacity for years to come.

NATO allies are prepared to defend themselves as the United States has already sent thousands of additional forces to Germany and Poland and authorized the deployment of ground and air forces already stationed in Europe to NATO eastern flank Allies. Other NATO Allies and partners are also adding their own forces and capabilities to ensure our security collectively. As NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, these actions show NATO’s collective defense commitment is ironclad, and that its members are standing as one to protect their freedom and values.

Despite the challenges ahead, the Ukrainian people will not allow anyone to take their country backward. They have endured 30 years of independence and proven their resilience.

Putin's intentions were never about genuine security concerns, but about protecting an authoritarian worldview and forcing it on a peaceful neighboring country. His actions reveal a sinister vision for the future of the world, where nations take what they want by force and exploit their neighbors. This vision is affecting the foundation of the international order not only in Europe but in Asia as well.

Opposing Putin's actions against Ukraine will unite nations worldwide and make us stronger, more determined, and more purposeful. Russia will pay a significant price for Putin's actions against Ukraine. Putin will not be able to extinguish the forces of liberty, democracy, and human dignity; they will endure. Freedom will prevail, and so will Ukraine.