Eurotopics.net

The attack on Ukraine will have consequences for Moscow: the EU has initiated punitive measures, but was unable to reach a consensus on excluding Russia from the Swift payment system. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has announced that Russian banks will be excluded from the US financial system. Despite a ban, anti-war protests took place in around 44 cities across Russia. The Russian state is now a definitively a pariah, say commentators.

While people in Ukraine are taking refuge in bomb shelters and metro stations, preparing to defend themselves or to leave the country, the rest of Europe is wondering what Putin's war on its own doorstep means for the future - also in the long term. Commentators are clear on one thing: this is a watershed moment after which nothing will be the same.

The Russian military attacked Ukraine in the early hours of this Thursday morning. Missiles hit the capital Kyiv and other cities, while ground troops advanced on several fronts on Ukrainian territory. Putin warned other states not to stand in Russia's way. Europe's press is appalled and demands consequences.