Greece is still prepared to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine’s embattled city of Mariupol when conditions allow it, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexandros Papaioannou said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for a cease-fire to bring supplies to the besieged city with the help of Greece and Turkey.
But Macron’s office said late on Tuesday that the operation was not possible “at this stage” after Putin told Macron in a phone call that “he was going to think about it.”
READ MORE: Government confirms Greece not at risk of food shortage due to Russia-Ukraine crisis.
In response, Papaioannou said on Wednesday that Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, still intends to lead this humanitarian aid mission, noting that nobody is in position to know when the mission will take place.
This comes as Greece continued to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During her official visit to Portugal, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou condemned the “unprovoked Russian invasion” and expressed her “full support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
READ MORE: Ukraine’s President thanks Greek FM for offering to lead humanitarian aid mission.
The Greek president said that the Russian incursion is “an inexcusable attack against a sovereign and independent state, which targets not only military units but also the civilian population and urban infrastructure of the country.”
Sakellaropoulou added that respect for territorial integrity, national sovereignty and international law are “non-negotiable principles for Greece.”
READ MORE: Greek Consul in Mariupol returns to Greece after successful evacuation from Ukraine.
Source: Ekathimerini.
