Donald Tusk, President of the European Council

“This is not a moment for hysterical reactions. Today on behalf of the 27 leaders I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27. Until the UK formally leaves the EU, EU law will continue to apply to and within the UK, and by this I mean rights, as well as obligations. The past years have been the most difficult ones in the history of our union, but my father used to tell me: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

 

Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament

“Now is the time for us to behave seriously and responsibly. We have our responsibilities for the future of the EU. You can see what is happening to sterling on the markets. I don’t want the same thing to happen to the euro.”

 

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

“The UK will remain a strong and committed Nato ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our Alliance.

“Today, as we face more instability and uncertainty, Nato is more important than ever as a platform for co-operation among European allies, and between Europe and North America. A strong, united and determined Nato remains an essential pillar of stability in a turbulent world, and a key contributor to international peace and security. The alliance remains committed to closer cooperation with the European Union.”

 

The Irish Government

“This result clearly has very significant implications for Ireland, as well as for Britain and for the European Union. The government will meet later this morning to reflect on the result. Following that meeting, the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) will make a public statement.”

 

Donald Trump, US Republican Party presumptive nominee

The presidential hopeful is visiting a golf resort he owns in Scotland today. He said it is a “great thing” that the people of the UK have “taken back their country”.

 

Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar

“We have surpassed greater challenges. It is time for unity, for calm & for rational thinking. Together & united we will continue to prosper.”

 

Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain

“Spain will remain committed to the EU. The EU is the area of greatest prosperity and wellbeing; we will continue building a better future between us. We need stability. Above all we will continue defending Spaniards’ interests and greater European integration. Spain now has a solid economic base in order to weather the financial turbulence which Brexit could cause. We are prepared.”

 

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National in France

“Victory for freedom! As I have been asking for years, now we need to have the same referendum in France and in the countries of the EU.”

 

Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy’s anti-immigration Northern League

“Hurrah for the courage of free citizens! Heart, brain and pride defeated lies, threats and blackmail. THANK YOU UK, now it’s our turn.”

 

Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine

“It’s a pity, but we will have to mind our own business. I believe that regardless of the result of the referendum, Britain will stay in a united Europe to defend common European values. I think that today the most urgent challenge the European Union is facing is finding a way to the hearts and minds of Eurosceptics in order not to leave a single chance to opponents of the European integration project and their generous sponsors. I do hope that the sanctions again Russia as an aggressor state will be extended.”

 

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian president

“Moscow wants the EU to remain a major economic power which is prosperous, stable and predictable. We have a pretty heavy burden of uneasy ties with Great Britain. We hope that in the new realities, an understanding of the need for good relations with our country will prevail.”

 

Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister of Sweden

“The debate and campaigning in the run-up to the referendum should serve as a wake-up call for Europe. They elicited stark polarisation and disturbing nationalism. This shows that EU cooperation must be developed and improved.

“We must be able to demonstrate that our cooperation is actually capable of tackling our common challenges in the way that people expect it to. We must have fair conditions in the European labour market. Climate and environmental challenges know no borders. And all EU Member States must take responsibility for the refugees fleeing to Europe.”

 

Manfred Weber, leader of the largest group in the European Parliament, the EPP

“Exit negotiations should be concluded within 2 years at max. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means leave.”

 

Gianni Pittella, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament

“This is a sad day for us, but we will respect the will of the British people. This is not a funeral for Europe. This can be a new start for Europe, and we will regain the confidence of the citizens.”

 

Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Prime Minister

“Britain’s decision is serious and irreversible. The EU has to change. Not because Britain left, but because the European project needs much stronger support from citizens. The EU is for us, the Czech Republic, the best possible guarantee of stability, peace and prosperity.”

 

Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister

“The dissatisfaction you see in Britain is also present in other countries, including my own. This has to be a stimulus for more reform, more welfare.”

He said the withdrawal process would be lengthy. “First the British have to decide when they want to start the process of leaving.”

 

Viktor Oban, Prime Minister of Hungary

“We believe in a strong Europe, but Europe is strong only if it can give solutions which make it stronger, to significant problems like migration.”

 

Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore

“The UK vote to leave the EU is a turning point. Other developed countries also face similar challenges as Britain. We all live in a globalised, interdependent world. The desire to disengage, to be less constrained by one’s partners, to be free to do things entirely as one chooses, is entirely understandable. And yet in reality for many countries, disengaging and turning inwards will likely lead to less security, less prosperity, and a dimmer future. Singapore will continue to cultivate our ties with Britain, which is a long standing friend and partner. We hope in time the uncertainty will diminish, and we will make the best of the new reality.”

 

Timo Soini, leader of the eurosceptic Finns Party in Finland

“The nation has had its say. Speaking of the negotiations that must come between the UK and the EU following this vote, he said: “Any retaliation and whinge is out of the question.”

 

Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia

“Let’s realise that a great part of people living in Europe reject the EU’s migration policy, there is great dissatisfaction with the EU’s economic policy. It is up to us, the remaining 27 union member states, whether we find enough strength to say that fundamental policies of the EU must go through fundamental changes. Slovakia will take on the six-month presidency of the EU from next month.”

 

 

Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Prime Minister

“The impact on Australia immediately, directly, from a legal point of view, will be very limited because it will take some years for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, to negotiate an exit. However, we’ve seen already large falls on stock markets and there will be a degree of uncertainty for some time.”

 

Tavi Roivas, Prime Minister of Estonia

“Deeply sad for the EU referendum result. We will go on and stay strong with 27, but EU will not be the same without Great Britain”

 

Witold Waszczykowski, Poland’s Foreign Minister

“Brexit is bad news for Britain and Europe. It is a sign the EU concept needs to change.”

 

Timo Soini, leader of the eurosceptic Finns Party in Finland

“The nation has had its say. Speaking of the negotiations that must come between the UK and the EU following this vote, he said: “Any retaliation and whinge is out of the question.”

 

Arun Jaitley, Indian Finance Minister

“In this globalized world, volatility and uncertainty are the new norms. This verdict will obviously further contribute to such volatility not least because its full implications for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world are still uncertain. All countries around the world will have to brace themselves for a period of possible turbulence while being watchful about, and alert to, the referendum’s medium term impacts.”

 

Hua Chunying, Spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry

“A prosperous Europe is in the interests of all parties and China is willing to keep co-operating with Britain and is fully confident in China-EU ties. She said the foreign ministry respects the choice of the British people.”