Dendias blasts Russia's use of Chechen fighters in Greek-founded city of Mariupol

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias blasted Russia's use of Chechen fighters in Mariupol as he arrived for the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, which discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Russian invasion.

"The commitment of the Greek government to do everything it can to secure the future of the Greek community in Mariupol," was underlined Dendias.

Dendias stated that he will raise the issue of Mariupol in the Council: "I intend to raise the issue of Mariupol, the issue of the Greek community in Mariupol and the total destruction of the city by the Russian troops."

"Chechen fighters are currently fighting in Mariupol. The Chechen army has come from the Russian side and the city is completely destroyed.

"The Greek government has a special interest, because of the presence of the Greek community there, and we will do everything we can to ensure the future of this community."

The Greek foreign minister also noted that the Council would discuss the issue of Sahel, another area that affects security in Europe, as well as issues of the Strategic Compass.

As he said, "the future of our strategic perspective and how Europe will proceed from now on" will be discussed.

He stressed that "what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said is very important for Greece. Defence spending should be excluded from these calculations. European defence is now an issue that concerns everyone, not just Greece."

Meanwhile, Ukraine said on Monday it would not obey ultimatums from Russia after Moscow demanded it stop defending the besieged port city, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are suffering through Russian bombardments laying waste to their city.

It comes as Joe Biden said Vladimir Putin’s “back is against the wall” in Ukraine as he stepped up warnings that Moscow may resort to increasingly desperate war tactics, including more indiscriminate bombing and use of chemical weapons.

The US president’s warning came fighting in Ukraine neared the end of its first month.

Biden said Ukraine was “wreaking havoc” against Russian forces and delivered his strongest warning yet that Moscow was setting up “false flags” to justify the use of unconventional weapons in Ukraine.

“They are also suggesting that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine. That’s a clear sign [Putin is] considering using both of those,” he said.

READ MORE: Who is the Pontian Greek fighting in Mariupol against the Azov Battalion?