PM Mitsotakis: 'We condemn Russia's actions, which blatantly violate international law'
"The recognition by Russia yesterday of the unilateral declaration of 'independence' by the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk is a blatant violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements. Also, like every revisionary initiative, it undermines international stability and progress," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday.
Mitsotakis made the statement at the start of his meeting at the Maximos Mansion with a ministerial delegation from Bulgaria. This was led by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev, who was accompanied by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for Good Governance Kalina Konstantinova, e-Government Minister Bozhidar Bozhanov and Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov.
"Greece, as a fundamental principle, respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all nations. It therefore unequivocally condemns actions that are contrary to these values and, as a member-state of the European Union and of NATO, it is already coordinating with its partners for a common and substantive response," the Greek prime minister said.
He revealed that he has already contacted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while he also referred to the large Greek community in the Ukraine, stressing that Greece "has one additional reason to be concerned and monitor the developments: the protection and support of the Greek expatriates in Ukraine and the large community in Mariupol, which has a presence of 2,000 years and more in the area and for which we are working."
Regarding the possible repercussions of the escalating crisis on Greece, Mitsotakis said: "I want to assure all Greek citizens that we have, as a government, taken all necessary measures so that the supply of the country with natural gas remains secure and continues without obstruction."
