Leaders in Northumberland have pledged their support to the people of Ukraine and condemned the ongoing Russian invasion.
The war in Ukraine is now in its sixth day after Russian troops launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, despite international outrage.
With tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing their country, both the leader of Northumberland County Council and the Northumberland Labour leader have issued statements showing their support of the country.
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Cllr Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said the region stood ready to offer assistance should it be needed.
He said: "I am sure I speak for every member and every resident when I say our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with the people of Ukraine at this very difficult time.
“The terrible events of the last few days have been felt not just across Europe and the world, but also here in Northumberland, and it has been extremely sobering to watch this distressing situation unfold.
“Like people across the world we hope the situation will be peacefully resolved soon.
“We are proud of our county which supports all those who live here and we must continue to offer support and reassurance to our friends, neighbours and all those who make Northumberland their home.
"We have a long history of helping those in need in this county and like all our communities we stand willing and ready to offer assistance again as and when it's required."
Meanwhile Northumberland Labour leader Cllr Scott Dickinson condemned the actions of Russia.
He said: "“The atrocities we're seeing on the TV are absolutely tragic. Seeing that, you can totally understand why Ukraine wanted to become a member of NATO because it would have offered it protection from its powerful and dangerous neighbour.
“Forcing families to split up and leave the country while others stay to fight is nothing we could imagine in the modern world. The formation of the European Union after World War II was to bring stability and peace to a previously war torn continent and it succeeded in that aim.
"It is tragic to see Ukraine, which is stuck in the middle of Russia and the EU, being made to pay the price of being alone without the protection it needs to enable Ukrainian people to live freely and independently.
“There is strong evidence that Russian people themselves are not in favour of this invasion, though they are also being kept in the dark because the media is state run and the word 'war' cannot be used.
“It is good to see that so many organisations, businesses, sporting bodies and governments are turning their back on Russia, though it is very sad for the Russian people themselves who will undoubtedly suffer as a result of a conflict which, evidence says, they do not want.”
As of Tuesday, Russia had launched offensives against a number of key cities in the south of the country and continues to march on the capital, Kyiv.
Officials from both sides are expected to arrive in Belarus for talks on Wednesday.
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