World leaders on Wednesday expressed their shock as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building where Congress met, in a bid to overturn the results of the November 3 election won by Joe Biden. 

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UN

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the General Assembly Volkan Bozkir both condemned Wednesday's violence at the U.S. Capitol.  

Guterres, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, was "saddened" by the breach of the U.S. Capitol building by supporters of Trump.  

"In such circumstances, it is important that political leaders impress on their followers the need to refrain from violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law," Dujarric said in a statement. 

Former Turkish minister Bozkir pointed out the particular relationship between the UN and the United States as the organization's host country. 

"Deeply concerned by violence at the Capitol in #WashingtonDC and the interruption of the democratic process in the UN's host country," he tweeted.  

Another tweet from Bozkir's office's official account repeated the sentiment. "The U.S. is one of the world's major democracies," it said. "I believe that peace & respect for democratic processes will prevail in our host country at this critical time."

NATO 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the violent protests in Washington "shocking scenes" and said the outcome of the democratic U.S. election must be respected. 

Canada 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concern about events in Washington. "Obviously we're concerned and we're following the situation minute by minute," Trudeau told the News 1130 Vancouver radio station. "I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly."

Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Twitter: "Canada is deeply shocked by the situation in Washington DC. The peaceful transition of power is fundamental to democracy – it must continue and it will. We are following developments closely and our thoughts are with the American people."

UK 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a tweet called the events in the U.S. Congress a "disgrace," saying the United States stood for democracy around the world and it was "vital" now that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. 

Germany 

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said democracy's enemies would be cheered by scenes of violence at the United States Capitol, and he called on Trump to accept U.S. voters' decision. 

In a tweet, Maas said the violence had been caused by inflammatory rhetoric. "Trump and his supporters must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy."

France 

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that "What happened in Washington is not American," and said he has confidence in the strength of democracy in the United States.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Twitter: "The violence against the American institutions is a grave attack on democracy. I condemn it. The will and the vote of the American people must be respected." 

EU 

Charles Michel, president of the European Council, on Twitter expressed his shock at the scenes in Washington. "The US Congress is a temple of democracy...We trust the US to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to @JoeBiden."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "I believe in the strength of US institutions and democracy. Peaceful transition of power is at the core. @JoeBiden won the election. I look forward to working with him as the next President of the USA."

Russia 

"Quite Maidan-style pictures are coming from DC," Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy posted on Twitter, referring to protests in Ukraine that overthrew President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014.  

Maidan is the name of the main square in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, which was the center of 2014 protests.

"Someone will distribute crackers to the protesters to echo Victoria Nuland stunt. My guess is that chances are meager, there is no US Embassy in Washington!" he said, citing a 2013 visit to Ukraine when then-U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland offered food to protesters. 

Russia backed Yanukovych in the crisis, while the U.S. and Europe supported the protesters.

Australia 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the scenes in Washington as "distressing." "We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition," he posted on Twitter. 

Spain 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a tweet: "I am following with concern the news that are coming from Capitol Hill in Washington. I trust in the strength of America's democracy."

"The new Presidency of @JoeBiden will overcome this time of tension, uniting the American people."

New Zealand 

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta posted on Twitter: "Our thoughts are with the American people. Violence has no place in thwarting democracy. We look forward to the peaceful transition of the political administration, which is the hallmark of democracy." 

Sweden 

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in a tweet described the scenes as "an attack on democracy." "President Trump and many members of Congress bear significant responsibility for what's now taking place. The democratic process of electing a president must be respected.” 

Finland 

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a statement: "The attack on Capitol Hill in Washington DC is a very serious and worrying matter. It shows how important it is to firmly and strongly defend democracy at all times."

Turkey 

Turkey's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing concern about the violence and called for calm and common sense while urging its citizens to avoid crowds and the protest area. 

Venezuela 

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza tweeted: "Venezuela expresses its concern for the violent events that are taking place in the city of Washington, USA; condemns the political polarization and hopes that the American people will open a new path toward stability and social justice."

Norway 

Norwegian Prime Minster Erna Solberg posted on Twitter: "This is an unacceptable attack on the U.S. democracy. President Trump is responsible for stopping this. Scary images, and unbelievable that this is happening in the United States."

Ireland 

Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney called the scenes in Washington "a deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election! The world is watching! We hope for restoration of calm."

Argentina 

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez tweeted: "We express our condemnation of the serious acts of violence and the affront to Congress that occurred today in Washington DC. We trust that there will be a peaceful transition that respects the popular will and we express our strongest support for President-elect Joe Biden."

(With input from Reuters)