What World Leaders Are Saying About DC Violence

'Disgraceful,' 'shocking,' and 'concerning'

By Luke Roney, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2021 5:27 PM CST

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What World Leaders Are Saying About DC Violence — Trump supporters gesture to USCapitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

(Newser) – “Disgraceful." That’s Boris Johnson’s take on images of Trump supporters storming the US Capitol on Wednesday, according to the Guardian. “The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power,” the UK prime minister tweeted. Other leaders around the world are expressing similar sentiments.

"Obviously we're concerned and we’re following the situation minute by minute. I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a radio interview, per Reuters.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg calls the scenes coming out of Washington "shocking," tweeting, "The outcome of this democratic election must be respected."
"Horrible images from Washington DC," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a tweet, imploring Trump to "recognize Joe Biden as the next president today."

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Norwegian Prime Minster Erna Solberg tweeted that Trump has a "heavy responsibility" to quell the unrest, which came after the president encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol. "This is a totally unacceptable attack on democracy," she said.
"The Irish people have a deep connection with the United States of America, built up over many generations," Micheál Martin, Ireland’s prime minister, tweeted. "I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the situation in DC "concerning," tweeting, "I'm confident American democracy will overcome this challenge. The rule of law & democratic procedures need to be restored as soon as possible. This is important not only for the U.S., but for Ukraine and the entire democratic world as well."
From Turkish state media Anadolu Agency: "Turkey invites all parties in US to use moderation, common sense to overcome this domestic political crisis."

(Read more Washington DC stories.)

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