LONDON (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered Russia's first mobilisation since World War Two and warned that Moscow would defend itself with the might of all its vast arsenal if faced with a nuclear threat from the West.


Here is some reaction:


UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER MYKHAILO PODepartment of LaborYAK


"Absolutely predictable appeal, which looks more like an attempt to justify their own failure," he said in a text message to Reuters.


"The war is clearly not going according to Russia's scenario and therefore required Putin to make extremely unpopular decisions to mobilise and severely restrict the rights of people."


BRIDGET BRINK, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE


"Sham referenda and mobilization are signs of weakness, of Russian failure," Brink said on Twitter. "The United States will never recognise Russia's claim to purportedly annexed Ukrainian territory."


BRITISH DEFENCE SECRETARY BEN WALLACE


"Putin's breaking of his own promises not to mobilise parts of his population and the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine, are an admission that his invasion is failing."


BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER GILLIAN KEEGAN


"Clearly it's something that we should take very seriously because, you know, we're not in control - I'm not sure he's in control either, really. This is obviously an escalation," she told Sky News.


GERMANY'S VICE CHANCELLOR ROBERT HABECK


He said it was "another bad and wrong step from Russia, which of course we will discuss and consult on politically regarding how to respond".


CZECH PRIME MINISTER PETR FIALA


"The partial mobilisation declared by V.Putin is an attempt to further escalate the war Russia launched against Ukraine, and it is further proof that Russia is the sole aggressor.


"It is needed to help Ukraine, and in our own interest, we must continue with it."


CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN WANG WENBIN


Urged all parties to engage in dialogue and consultation and find a way to address the security concerns of all parties.

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