Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech to the Greek Parliament was particularly warm toward Greece, with numerous references to the Greek community in Mariupol and Odessa – The Ukrainian president requested weapons and expressed gratitude for Greece’s participation in the sanctions – The appearance of a fighter from the notorious neo-Nazi Azov Battalion was a blunder and a disgrace; who spoke in Parliament as a member of the Greek diaspora, sparking reactions from the opposition.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Greek citizens at noon on Thursday in an online speech during a special emergency session of the Plenary Assembly of the Hellenic Parliament, in the presence of the President of the Republic. The Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Kostas Tasoulas, opened the session.
The speech by the President of Ukraine (see below) lasted 15–20 minutes; Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Alexis Tsipras were present, along with, as guests of the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, the ambassadors of Ukraine, Cyprus, and France (due to France’s EU Presidency). It should be noted that members of the KKE and the Greek Solution party were absent from the speech.
The presence of neo-Nazis is a disgrace to Parliament
Zelenskyy’s decision to have a fighter from the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion address the Greek Parliament has caused a stir.
The Azov fighter, named Michael, said he is of Greek descent, was born in Mariupol, and mentioned that his grandfather fought against the Nazis and was wounded three times.
«Good morning, distinguished members of the Greek Parliament. I am addressing you as a person of Greek descent. My name is Michael. My grandfather fought in World War II against the Nazis. He was wounded three times. I was born in Mariupol and am participating in the city’s defense against the Russian Nazis. I won’t talk about the difficulties we face in the Ukrainian defense, as part of the Azov Battalion; this is my duty to my city, it is my duty as a man. I must speak about the catastrophic conditions in which peaceful Mariupol finds itself,’ he said emphatically.
A second Greek expatriate, with his face covered, also spoke before Parliament, who reported that hundreds of civilians are dying beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings and that the enemy is not withdrawing and is preventing their rescue.
The Azov Battalion has been recognized by major Western media outlets and news agencies as including neo-Nazis and nationalists, who were involved in efforts to quell the armed resistance of Russian-speakers against the central Ukrainian government after 2014.
Initial reports published by pro-government media outlets appear to cast the Speaker of Parliament in a negative light. According to SKAI, Mr. Tasoulas was aware of the existence of the two video messages, but their content had not been sufficiently clarified, nor had it been established that they involved members of the Azov Battalion.
In fact, when the soldier from the Azov Battalion spoke up, four SYRIZA lawmakers walked out of Parliament. The MPs in question were Theodoros Dritsas, Nikos Filis, Giannis Gkiolias, and Giorgos Varemenos.
SYRIZA-PS: «We express our support for Zelensky; it is unacceptable that a member of the Azov Battalion spoke in Parliament»
The following statement was made by Olga Gerovasili, Secretary of the SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance Parliamentary Group, in the Peristyle of the Hellenic Parliament:
Today, with respect and solidarity, we listened to the democratically elected President of Ukraine, Mr. Zelenskyy, who is resisting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and we express our support for him.
From that point on, however, it is unacceptable that a member of the Azov Battalion addressed the Greek Parliament today alongside President Zelensky.
In a little while, we will have a Conference of Presidents, and the Speaker of the House, Mr. Tasoulas, will be asked to explain whether he was aware of this and whether he agreed to it. Because I believe this constitutes a serious lapse.
Nikos Filis: Why I walked out during the discussion of the fascist Azov Battalion in the Hellenic Parliament
As the Member of Parliament for Athens A and head of the Education Committee of the SYRIZA-PS Parliamentary Group noted in this regard:
I was forced to leave today’s session of Parliament, when, during his appearance, Ukrainian President Zelensky included a video message from a representative of the fascist Azov Battalion, using his Greek heritage as a pretext.
The Speaker of the House and the government owe us an explanation for this unacceptable incident.
Our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are defending themselves against the Russian invasion, is a given. It will intensify in the coming period through initiatives for peace. Against imperialist wars, nationalism, racism, and the fascist threat.
Samaras: The presence of a fighter from the Azov Battalion is a big mistake
Speaking with parliamentary reporters, Mr. Samaras expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that the soldier, who identified himself as a fighter with the Azov Battalion, addressed the Greek parliamentarians. Volodymyr
MERA25's reaction was also fierce
MERA25 spokesperson Giorgos Logiadis immediately left the Parliament chamber as soon as it became clear that members of the Azov Battalion had taken the floor.
MeRA25 «stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, not with the Nazi Azov Battalion! What happened today in the Greek Parliament is unacceptable, it is reprehensible, it is the ultimate humiliation, and it took place with the full support and tolerance of the Speaker of the House and the government, as well as everyone who remained in the chamber.».
«President Zelenskyy has just insulted the Hellenic Parliament by giving a platform to Nazi members of the Azov Battalion and, in doing so, undermined the Ukrainians» struggle against Putin’s army. MERA25 stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, not with the Azov Battalion, which provides Putin with an excuse,” stated G. Varoufakis.
KKE: Even Shame Itself Was Ashamed
There was also a furious reaction from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), which commented on the incident in a social media post:
“Even shame itself was put to shame today in Parliament during Zelensky’s speech, with the parties of the NATO-aligned spectrum applauding the Nazis of the Azov Battalion, because that is what NATO directives and commitments dictate. This fully vindicates the KKE’s stance.”.
Even Shame itself was ashamed today at the # Parliament and the speech #Zelensky, with the parties of the NATO-aligned spectrum applauding the Nazis of the Azov Battalion, because that is what NATO directives and commitments require. This is a complete vindication of the KKE’s stance!
- Press Office of the KKE KKE (@gt_kke) April 7, 2022
«Freedom or Death for Ukraine»
Here is the Ukrainian president's statement in detail:
Madam President, distinguished members of the Greek Parliament
For over a month now, I’ve been waking up and thinking about Mariupol. The Russians are destroying it—this has never happened before in European history.
They never managed to attack the cities and force the civilians to flee.
Not a single building has been left intact; the vast majority have been razed to the ground, and they’ve even bombed the city’s municipal theater. We’ve all seen this.
This is the work of Russian citizens who knew what they were doing.
Mariupol has been destroyed.
This peaceful city experienced the violence of Russian troops; it was the cradle of the Greek community, whose members lived in peace. It is impossible to trace the origins of the Greek presence in the Black Sea region.
It's even depicted on our currency.
The spread of Christianity in our country is also linked to Greece. We are Orthodox; the country was Christianized by the Greeks.
If we lose this aspect, we lose a part of our identity.
We, too, say “freedom or death,” just like you.
In addition to Mariupol, Odessa—which the Greek Foreign Minister visited—is under threat. Today it is calm because our troops have repelled the barbarians.
Thousands of people have fled. Russian troops deliberately targeted civilians—and not just there. The suffering is immense.
The Russians are driving civilian populations toward Russia. They must be held accountable. Let’s save as many as we can.
The Philiki Etaireia was founded here. This is of immense importance. A new Philiki Etaireia could save Ukraine and the Greek community in our country.
We need immediate support. The Russians are constantly attacking. With Greece’s solidarity, we will prevail. Time is of the essence.
We thank Greece for participating in the sanctions. Use your influence to help us do whatever we can to save what we can. Ukraine is standing strong. So let’s work together to save what the Greeks and Ukrainians built together. Let us not lose our shared cultural heritage. Let Mariupol not become Thermopylae. They must learn that whoever chooses war loses.
From the outset, Russia has not only targeted Ukraine but also Europe. It has used its fossil fuels to cause shortages in the markets and the food industry. These challenges must be addressed at the European level. We must shut the door on all Russian banks so they cannot make money. The money the Russians earn goes toward building missiles to destroy our cities. Ukraine needs weapons—anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons. That’s the only way we’ll save Ukraine. Our peoples have always been closely connected. We will bring peace, and those responsible will be held accountable. Mariupol will be rebuilt.
Equal partners within our common European home, the EU. We will prevail—glory to Ukraine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFJxM4sCpY
