Greek Foreign Minister reiterates solidarity with Ukraine in meeting with President Zelenskyy

Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, reiterated Greece’s “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Wednesday afternoon.

During the meeting, Dendias also stressed that Greece “fully condemns any attempts at changing borders by revisionist forces.”

In response, President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Greece for its support and for supplying infantry fighting vehicles (IFC) to Ukraine to help the country during its war with Russia.

Greece is handing over 40 of its Soviet-built BMP-1 IFVs to Ukraine in exchange for 40 Marder IFVs that will be delivered by Germany. Athens has so far received six German tanks.

Zelenskyy also thanked Greece for its support of Ukraine’s bid for candidacy to the European Union.

“It is important for us that Greece supports Ukraine in overcoming all challenges. And we feel that support,” President Zelenskyy said.

This meeting between Dendias and Zelenskyy came as earlier in the day, the Greek Foreign Minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

During their meeting, Dendias reiterated that Greece will continue to stand by the country and the Greek ethnic minority of the country.

The two foreign ministers visited the Memory Wall of the Fallen Defenders in Kyiv, where Dendias laid flowers in tribute to the Ukrainian soldiers who died fighting during Russia’s invasion.

Dendias also confirmed on Twitter that he and Kulebo had to hide in a shelter as air raid sirens sounded in the city and that his Ukrainian counterpart repeated the motto of the Greek War of Independence ‘Freedom or Death’ as they sheltered. 

These formal meetings concluded Dendias’ third visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, having already travelled twice to Odessa.

READ MORE: ‘Terrified of the war’: Expatriates, refugees reach Greece after escaping Ukraine.