Greece Slams “Unprecedented Russian Provocation” in Ukraine

Greece condemned the “unprecedented” Russian attack on Ukraine which threatens stability in Europe, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said just hours after President Putin unleashed Russia’s military might on Ukraine.

At an emergency meeting of the National Foreign Affair and Defense Council (KYSEA) in Athens reiterated that Greece will coordinate with the European Union and NATO for a response that will be “proportional to the unprecedented Russian provocation.”

He expressed concern about the ethnic Greeks who live in the area of Mariupol, one of the cities currently under attack.

There are more than 100,000 Greeks living in the wider region of the Ukrainian city. Amateur footage shared on Twitter shows that rockets have hit installations at Mariupol.

“As a matter of principle, Greece respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all countries. It therefore unequivocally condemns revisionist actions that run counter to these values,” Mitsotakis said at the start of an emergency meeting of the country’s top decision-making body to discuss Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

Η επίθεση της Ρωσίας κατά της Ουκρανίας θέτει με δραματικό τρόπο την παγκόσμια κοινότητα ενώπιον των ευθυνών της. Ως μέλος της ΕE και του ΝΑΤΟ συντονιζόμαστε με τους εταίρους μας, ώστε η αντίδρασή μας να είναι κοινή, αλλά και αντίστοιχη της πρωτοφανούς ρωσικής προκλητικότητας. pic.twitter.com/35gJDF1ptu

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) February 24, 2022

Greece calls on Russia to end hostilities “immediately” in Ukraine

“The protection of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states is a fundamental principle for Greece”, the Foreign Ministry said in an announcement.

“Greece will always condemn any violation of these basic principles as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

“We call on the Russian side to immediately end the hostilities, which, in addition to their other serious consequences, endanger the lives of civilians, including the Greek community living in Ukraine.

“We express solidarity with Ukraine and we will continue to stand by the Greek community in Ukraine in these difficult times.

“We are in constant coordination with our European partners and NATO allies on the response to the violation of international law,” the announcement says.