By Prior Beharry RUSSIA has invaded Ukraine as world leaders condemn the attack. International reports noted that the invasion took place just before dawn as Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had no plans to invade Ukraine and demanded its military to lay down its weapons. Russia entered from the north, south and east and there were reports of explosions in at least 12 cities including Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared martial law and cut all diplomatic relations with Russia and said that weapons will be distributed to anyone who wanted them, the BBC is reporting. 
The Russian invasion comes after unfounded claims by Putin, that the democratically elected government of Ukraine was responsible for eight years of genocide, the BBC stated. And Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said the Government was deeply concerned with the invasion. In a statement on Thursday, he said he has instructed all T&T’s missions to use all diplomatic channels to condemn the outbreak of violence in Ukraine. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has asked Putin to take his troops back to Russia. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Putin’s “hideous and barbaric venture” must end in failure. US President Joe Biden said the world would hold Russia accountable. 
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, “These are among the darkest hours for Europe since World War Two.” There were long queues to leave major cities in Ukraine while others sought shelter in a number of underground facilities.
