War in Ukraine: Nearly 10,000 refugees arrive in Greece

Ukraine Ukrainian refugee

Nearly 10,000 refugees have come from Ukraine to Greece since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.

In particular, 9,875 Ukrainian citizens have crossed the border, of whom 3,201 are minors.

Many of these Ukrainian citizens include ethnic Greeks from the Mariupol region.

The Ministry of Civil Protection, based on the data of the Hellenic Police Headquarters, announced that 571 Ukrainian refugees entered Greece in the last 24 hours, of which 198 were minors.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a call initiated by the Ukrainian president.

They discussed ways to address the repercussions of the Russian invasion.

Mitsotakis assured Zelensky of the Greek government's full support for Ukraine, the dispatch of aid and the reception of Ukrainian and ethnic Greek refugees.

They also discussed the dramatic conditions in the regions where ethnic Greek communities reside and the need to open a humanitarian corridor for the safe exit of civilians and to send humanitarian aid.

Mitsotakis expressed his concern over the safe passage of the Greek Consul General in Mariupol and of others trapped in the OSCE building in the city.

The prime minister underlined that the EU sent an important political message of support from France the previous week regarding Ukraine's EU prospects.

He also noted that the full implementation of the sanctions by all partners and allies will help put pressure on the Russian side to stop the attacks.

Elsewhere, Ukraine plans to open nine “humanitarian corridors” to evacuate civilians from areas besieged by Russian forces and will try to deliver humanitarian supplies to encircled Mariupol, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk has said.

This comes as Russia’s defence ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenov said Russian forces had taken full control of all territory in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region.

Russian forces shot down six Bayraktar TB-2 drones in the last 24 hours, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the ministry - Greek City Times could not verify the reports independently.

In addition, Prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia will travel to Kyiv on Tuesday to meet Zelensky as representatives of European Union leaders, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has said on social networks.

“The purpose of the visit is to confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” he said.

“The aim of this visit is also to present a broad package of support for Ukraine and Ukrainians.”

READ MORE: Why do so many cities in Ukraine and Crimea have Greek sounding names? 

 

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