Diplomatic sources have told Ekathimerini that the Greek Consul General in Mariupol, Manolis Androulakis, has reached the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday.
The Consul will spend the night in the south-eastern city as there is an ongoing curfew.
The operation to evacuate Androulakis, alongside members from the local Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) office and their families, has been underway since Tuesday afternoon.
READ MORE: Operation to evacuate Greek Consul General from Ukrainian city of Mariupol underway.
Ukraine’s President calls on US to do more in Congress address:
This evacuation effort comes as Russian forces continue to rain fire on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other major cities in a bid to crush resistance.
In the encircled seaport of Mariupol, where there is a large ethnic Greek population, a Russian airstrike has also destroyed a theatre building where hundreds of people were sheltering. There was no immediate word on deaths or injuries.
READ MORE: EU leaders meet in Versailles to discuss Ukraine war and energy independence.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to the US Congress to do more to help Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Live streamed into the Capitol complex, Zelenskyy cited Pearl Harbour and the terror attacks of September 11 during his appeal and showed an emotional video of the destruction his country has suffered in the war.
READ MORE: Ukrainian President assured of Greece’s ‘full support’ during phone call with Greek PM.
“We need you right now,” Mr Zelenskyy said, adding, “I call on you to do more.”
After this address, US President Joe Biden announced $800 million in new Ukraine aid, including anti-aircraft weapons and drones.
READ MORE: US State Department praises Greek handling of Ukraine crisis.
Source: Ekathimerini and ABC News.
