Greece on Thursday condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, saying it violates the international order and values.
“As a matter of principle, Greece respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all countries,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an emergency meeting of the country’s Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
“We, therefore, unequivocally condemn revisionist actions that run counter to these values.”
Mitsotakis said Greece will coordinate with all partners “so that our reaction is not only joint, but also commensurate with the unprecedented Russian provocativeness,” according to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
He said Athens “is adapting its policies to the new facts as they arise,” stressing that all democratic countries of the world will always oppose the use of force and arms.
Mitsotakis said the government is “keeping our gaze firmly fixed on the Greek community” in Ukraine.
An earlier statement by the Greek Foreign Ministry called on Russia to stop its military intervention in Ukraine.
“We call on the Russian side to immediately end the hostilities, which, in addition to their other serious consequences, endanger the lives of civilians, including the Greek community living in Ukraine,” the ministry said in a statement.
“We will continue to stand by the Greek community in Ukraine in these difficult times. The Greek diplomatic authorities in Ukraine in Kiev, Mariupol and Odessa are in constant contact with Greek citizens and holders of Special Expatriate Identity Cards in order to provide them with all possible assistance.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military intervention in Ukraine early Thursday, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine, drawing widespread international condemnation and announcements of tougher sanctions on Moscow.
The intervention followed a month-long buildup of some 100,000 troops around Ukraine, with Russia repeatedly denying any intent to launch an invasion.
There were also reports on Thursday of explosions in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and several military vehicles reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.
