Mitsotakis: Greece supports Ukraine’s fight for freedom
Greece will continue to support Ukraine as it fights for its freedom, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Odesa.
“My presence here reflects the respect of the entire free world for your people and underlines Greece’s commitment to remain by your side,” Mitsotakis told Zelenskyy in his first visit to the country since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Greece, a NATO member and a traditional ally to Ukraine’s bid to join the military alliance and the European Union, has offered military help to the country.
“We discussed what other means we can use to expand the security space in the Black Sea. How we can add protection to our people – both military and civilian. We need more air defense,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said Greece would participate in a peace formula summit in Switzerland.
Greek government sources said Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s intention to contribute to the reconstruction of Odesa, whose historic center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in January 2023, while he met with representatives of the Greek diaspora. At the same time, he said Greece will continue to support Ukraine within the framework of the country’s capabilities and without weakening Greek defense.
The two leaders visited a residential building – the site of Russian drone attack on Saturday, that killed 12 people, including five children.
The sound of a large explosion reverberated around the Ukrainian port of Odesa as Zelenskyy and Mitsotakis ended their tour of the war-ravaged southern city Wednesday.
The Greek prime minister said the delegations were getting into their vehicles when they heard the blast, which he called a “vivid reminder” that Odesa is gripped by the war with Russia. It is one thing to hear about the war and “quite another to experience war firsthand,” Mitsotakis said.
Zelenskyy said the explosion caused an unknown number of dead and wounded. “You see who we’re dealing with, they don’t care where to hit,” he told reporters.
Russian officials made no immediate comment.
Mitsotakis’ unannounced visit to Ukraine takes place before his trip to Romania for a two-day conference of the European People’s Party (EPP). [Reuters/AP/Kathimerini]
