Markets sink as U.S., Asia allies blast Russia invasion of Ukraine

Stock markets tumble, while oil hits $100; China says it isn't an 'invasion'

U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that the world will hold Russia accountable for an "unprovoked and unjustified" attack on Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in the country. (Nikkei montage/Maxim Guchek/BelTA/Reuters)

Nikkei staff writers

February 24, 2022 14:13 JST

Updated on February 24, 2022 20:17 JST

TOKYO -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's military operation in Ukraine has triggered an angry response from global leaders and battered stock and commodity markets, but China rejected the term "invasion" to describe Moscow's move.