US Secretary of State Blinken thanks Greece for NATO and Ukraine support

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.  The Secretary and Foreign Minister Dendias condemned Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

The Secretary thanked Greece for its steadfast support of Ukraine and of U.S., NATO, and EU efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions.  The Secretary and Foreign Minister Dendias also condemned Russia’s attacks on civilian targets, and the Secretary expressed his condolences for ethnic Greeks killed in Russia’s brutal assault on Mariupol.

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias held a videoconference with the Greek ambassador and consuls general in Ukraine earlier on Sunday to learn of developments and how to best help Greeks and expatriates in the war-torn country.

Dendias spoke with Ambassador Frangiskos Kostelenos, dispatched to the Consulate General of Mariupol (Marioupoli), and Consuls General Manolis Androulakis there and Dimitris Dochtsis at Odessa, a ministry statement revealed. Also attending was Ambassador to Bucharest Sophia Grammata, who has assumed the coordination of citizens arriving to Moldova and Romania from Ukraine.

Consul Androulakis informed the minister that the mayor of Sartana village, where some of the expatriates were killed, has requested that residents evacuate to Mariupol, nearly ten kilometers away.

FM Dendias expressed his appreciation for their work and said he would remain in frequent contact, given the highest priority Greece has given to protecting Greek nationals and expatriates.

According to the latest reports, ten members of the Greek community died at bombardments of villages since the Russian invasion.