President Joe Biden has released a statement after Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in the region of Donbas in eastern Ukraine.

In a statement early Thursday morning, Biden condemned Russia's action. The president called it an "unprovoked and unjustified attack" on Ukraine.

"The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces," Biden noted.

According to Joe Biden, Putin "has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering." The president further noted that Russia alone will be responsible "for the death and destruction this attack will bring."

Joe Biden said the United States, its allies, and partners would address the matter "in a united and decisive way." He noted that he was monitoring the situation from the White House and will meet with the other G7 leaders on Thursday morning. 

The president added that he would soon announce "further consequences" imposed on Russia by the U.S. and its allies, CNN reported.

"The world will hold Russia accountable," Biden noted.

British Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward said Russia has been "holding a gun to Ukraine's head for months," adding that they asked Russia repeatedly to avoid war.

"Now, President [Vladimir] Putin's finger is on the trigger... The world is calling for peace but Russia is not listening," Woodward noted during a special UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday night.

She said the United Kingdom and its partners "have been clear that there will be consequences for Russia's actions." She added that they fully support the U.S.' call for a UN Security Council resolution.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the UN, called on Russia to stop, return to its borders, and send its diplomats to the negotiating table, ABC News reported.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Smirks, Picks Teeth After Reporter Asks if He 'Underestimated' Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Russia President Vladimir Putin's Statement Before Joe Biden Reacted

In his speech aired on national television early Thursday, Vladimir Putin announced military action in Donbas, the area containing the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Russia's president recognized as independent on Monday.

Putin said their plans were not to occupy Ukraine, and they "do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone." He urged Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms and go home.

Putin warned that all responsibility for any potential bloodshed will be on the conscience of the Ukrainian government and said he was confident that Russian service members would fulfill their duty.

He also warned the international community of "consequences they have never seen" if they interfere, Al Jazeera reported.

Putin maintained his position that Ukrainian membership in Nato was unacceptable, adding that Russia had no choice but to defend itself against threats arising from its neighbor to the west.

Vladimir Putin said Russia's military operation aims to ensure a "demilitarization" of Ukraine. Shortly after Putin's televised address, explosions were heard outside Kyiv, and heavy clashes were reported in several major cities in Ukraine.

Ukraine said at least eight people had already been killed and nine others wounded by Russia's shelling. In a statement carried out by Russian news agencies, Russia's defense ministry claimed its air raids on Ukraine were not targeting its cities and posed no threat to civilians. 

The ministry noted that it was targeting Ukrainian "military infrastructure, air defense facilities, military airfields, and aviation of the Armed Forces" with high-precision weapons.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said its forces are countering the Russian offensive "with dignity," and inflicting losses on the troops from Moscow.

Joe Biden Talks to Ukraine President Before He Declares Martial Law

Joe Biden has already spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the phone late Wednesday or soon after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine.

In a statement, Biden said he told Zelenskyy he "condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces."

The president noted that he briefed the Ukrainian president on the steps they were taking "to rally international condemnation." 

Biden added that Zelenskyy asked him "to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin's flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine."

Zelenskyy has declared martial law in Ukraine as Russian forces started military operations early Thursday, ABC News reported. In a statement, Zelenskyy said Russia has launched an "unjustified, false and cynical invasion."

"There are strikes on military and other important defense facilities, attacked border units, the situation in the Donbas has degraded," Zelenskyy noted. 

He said the Armed Forces and the state's special and law enforcement agencies were on alert while the National Security and Defense Council works "in an emergency mode."

Zelenskyy told the "civilian citizens of Ukraine" to stay at home and warn their loved ones about the situation. 

"Take care of those who need help. All thoughts and prayers with our soldiers," he added.

Martial law permits military authorities to temporarily take over government functions, normally at a time of emergency.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Called Russian President Vladimir Putin "Pretty Savvy" Over Move On Ukraine; Pres. Joe Biden Imposes New Sanctions

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Joe Biden Condemns Russia's 'Unprovoked And Unjustified Attack' On Ukraine - From MSNBC