Greece’s top diplomat intends to personally accompany humanitarian aid to Mariupol

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias intends to personally accompany humanitarian aid heading to Mariupol, asking Russia not to obstruct the delivery.

That’s according to the top diplomat’s statement released by the Greek Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

"Today I also sent a note verbale to the Ukrainian side asking for the facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian aid in Mariupol and another note verbale to the Russian side asking not to obstruct it," said the Dendias.

The foreign minister emphasized that he intends to personally accompany this aid in coordination with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer, with whom he is already in contact.

The decision was made in view of the priorities of the Greek government: protection of the Greek diaspora and civilians.

According to the report, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also stressed that Greece would retain its presence in the region where Greeks settled a century ago.

According to him, the first step to be taken by Athens, when everything goes back to normal, will be to rebuild the destroyed maternity hospital in Mariupol; and after that coordination with the European Union – to do everything possible to return the city to its former state and promote the return of the diaspora to normal life.

Photo: Stringer, Anadoly Agency