It is genocide: How world leaders reacted to civilian killings in Ukraine

Moscow is facing global condemnation after the Russian pullout from the outskirts of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, revealed bodies with civilian clothes strewn across the streets, some of whom had been shot deliberately at close range.

Ukrainian officials said the bodies of 410 civilians were found in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces in recent days. In Bucha, northwest of the capital, journalists saw 21 bodies, out of which two had their hands tied behind their backs. 

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the killing a “genocide.”

“Dead people have been found in barrels, basements, strangled, tortured,” said Zelenskyy, who once again called on Russia to move quickly to negotiate an agreement to end the war.

Here’s how the world leaders reacted to the killing of civilians in Ukraine – 

“The bloody massacres committed by the Russians, by the Russian soldiers, deserve to be called by their name. It is genocide and this crime must be tried as the crime of genocide … When we look at the terrible crimes against women, children and entire families, our scream should be even louder. Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Motyzhyn: (these) are the names of the places that each of us will probably remember for the rest of our lives. The Russians committed the crime of genocide.” – Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki

“You may remember I got criticized for calling Putin a war criminal. Well, the truth of the matter is we saw what happened in Bucha. This warrants him … he is a war criminal. … We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue the fight. And we have to gather all the detail, so this can be an actual, have a war crimes trial. This guy is brutal. And what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous.” – US President Joe Biden 

“The reports of Ukrainian civilians who have been killed, raped and severely wounded by Russian troops is beyond reprehensible. Russia must answer to the world for what they’ve done.” – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

“We are all extremely shocked and we have condemned it with the utmost strength. Secondly, it is clear that there is clear evidence of war crimes. It was the Russian army that was in Bucha. We have told Ukrainian authorities that we were at their disposal to help with the investigation they’re carrying out. International justice must prevail. Those who committed these crimes will have to answer for them … What just happened in Bucha calls for a new round of sanctions and very clear measures” – French President Emmanuel Macron