What international reactions emerged to the US Capitol attack?

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International Leaders Condemn US Capitol Attack and Urge Peaceful Power Transfer

Global leaders and governments have expressed widespread shock and condemnation following the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Many leaders emphasized the critical importance of respecting the election results and ensuring a peaceful and orderly transfer of power, viewing the events as a direct assault on democratic principles.
Condemnation of Violence and Undemocratic Actions

Numerous high-ranking officials unequivocally denounced the violence. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the scenes as "disgraceful" and stressed the necessity of a peaceful transition. His counterpart, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, stated there could be "no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power." The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, tweeted that American democracy appeared "under siege" and that the November 3 election results "must be fully respected." French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian condemned the events as a "serious attack on democracy," echoing the sentiment that the will of the American people should be honored. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called on Trump supporters to "stop trampling on democracy" and accept the election outcome, while Finance Minister Olaf Scholz described the images from Washington as "disturbing."
Emphasis on Democratic Principles and Election Integrity

The core of the international response centered on upholding democratic norms and the integrity of elections. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg tweeted that the "outcome of this democratic election must be respected." Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte directly urged President Trump to "recognise @JoeBiden as the next president today." Irish premier Micheal Martin expressed "great concern and dismay" over the unfolding events, with Foreign Minister Simon Coveney explicitly rebuking Trump, calling it a "deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election!" Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while troubled by the violence, expressed confidence in the resilience of American democracy.
Calls for Restraint and Hope for Resolution

Beyond direct condemnation, some nations called for restraint and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the crisis. The Turkish foreign ministry stated it was following developments with concern and urged all parties to maintain "restrain and prudence," expressing belief that the US would overcome the crisis. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz labeled the events an "unacceptable assault on democracy" and insisted on ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek remarked that the violence was a poor example for nations striving for democracy and questioned the security measures in place. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that "extremism, violence, polarisation and violence is never the way forward," hoping for democracy to be restored.

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What international reactions emerged to the US Capitol attack?

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