Negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Greece were interrupted by an air raid, so the diplomats had to continue them in a bomb shelter.< /p>
Note that an air raid in Kyiv was announced at 12:49, during which several Russian missiles were shot down over the capital, it lasted 3.5 hours.
Greek Minister did not cancel his visit despite the risks
According to Kuleba, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias could have canceled this visit, citing the difficult security situation, but he arrived, and this is “not just an act of courage, but a gesture of very strong support for Ukraine at this difficult moment.”
< p class="bloquote cke-markup">We started our tête-à-tête talks in our office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the talks were interrupted by an air raid and we had to come down here,” Kuleba said.
“And the arrival of Nikos in such difficult conditions, and the continuation of our negotiations in the bomb shelter – this is a very clear signal that nothing and no one will break either Ukraine or its partners in supporting Ukraine,” the minister added.He also thanked Greece for the assistance provided, including for the weapons transferred by the country. In particular, the Foreign Minister announced the start of the transfer of Greek BMP-1s to Ukraine.
The press conference of the Ministers of Greece and Ukraine was held in hiding: video
Greece once again assured of the full support of the Ukrainian people
In turn, the Greek minister noted that Greece condemns Russia's attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine. He noted that he had already visited Odessa twice during the war.
These attacks are war crimes, this is my third visit since the start of a full-scale Russian invasion. Twice I was in Odessa. My visit is symbolic, to them I want to express the full solidarity of the Greek people – the Ukrainian people, – said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece.
He emphasized that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty is sacred for Greece.
On Twitter, Nikos Dendias noted that during the meetings they discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as issues of parliamentary diplomacy, European integration, Greek-Ukrainian relations and the Greek diaspora in Ukraine.
How Greece is helping Ukraine
- Greece and Germany have agreed on a “circular exchange” scheme, according to which the Greek side will transfer 40 Soviet combat BMP-1 infantry vehicles.
- Since June 27, Greece has suspended the acceptance of documents for visas for Russians. It is said that this is for an indefinite period.
- In addition, for the first time in 22 years, Greece will begin exploration of domestic natural gas deposits in order to get rid of energy dependence on Russia. The country must find out before 2023 whether it has gas reserves that it can use.
