In a significant policy shift toward a country with which Greece shares strong diplomatic, historical, and economic ties, the government has decided to move forward, in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and the tragedy in which ten Greeks were killed in Mariupol.
In this way, the government is following the lead of other European countries and drawing the country into the fierce conflicts in Ukraine by sending military equipment and weapons.
Specifically, following today’s meeting at the Maximos Mansion chaired by Kyriakos Mitsotakis and attended by Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff Konstantinos Floros, the decision was made for Athens to respond to Ukraine’s request for military aid.
The country is now sending military equipment via two C-130s, which will depart for Poland and then proceed to Ukraine. The equipment includes Kalashnikov-type firearms that had been stored in army warehouses following seizures during operations by the Coast Guard and the Police, as well as ammunition, helmets, and fragmentation- and bulletproof vests.
In addition, significant humanitarian aid will be dispatched later today, accompanied by Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias. Also participating in the meeting were the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Grigoris Dimitriadis, and Ambassador Anna-Maria Boura.
A Visit to Moscow
These actions come at a time when diplomatic relations have been severely strained, particularly following the death of ten Greek expatriates in a village near Mariupol after yesterday’s rocket attack.
Athens lodged a protest today with Russian Ambassador Andrei Maslov regarding the airstrikes on the villages of Sartana and Bouga.
In this context, as stated in a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary-General also issued a relevant Note Verbale, which emphasizes, among other things, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its abhorrence of the aforementioned unprovoked military attacks and calls on Russia to respect international humanitarian law and cease its attacks against thecivilian population.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs «reiterates Greece’s particular concern for the safety of Greek citizens and the Greek diaspora in Ukraine and reiterates its call on the Russian Federation, which is carrying out attacks in the region, to respect their rights and protect their lives.».
The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, issued statements today claiming that the Ukrainian, Nazi, paramilitary «Azov Battalion» is responsible for the massacre.
Political Reactions
The first criticism of the government’s actions came from the KKE, which condemns the shipment of military equipment to Ukraine and notes «the New Democracy government, by sending military equipment to Ukraine in accordance with NATO directives, is escalating the country’s involvement in an imperialist war that is unfolding with unpredictable consequences and great dangers for the peoples. The country’s armed forces have no business operating beyond its borders, nor can Greek territory, infrastructure, and resources be used as military—or wartime—bridgeheads, as is the case with the military bases in Alexandroupoli and Stefanovikio.».
«The government bears enormous responsibility for our country’s involvement in the war and for the grave dangers that may arise for the Greek people. All participation and involvement must cease immediately,» the KKE emphasizes in its statement.
