Top Greek diplomat ‘intends’ to lead humanitarian aid to Ukraine’s Mariupol

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - The Greek foreign minister on Tuesday voiced his intention to lead a humanitarian aid to the Mariupol city in Ukraine.

“I intend to accompany this aid in person, in coordination with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Maurer, with whom we are already in contact,” Nikos Dendias said in a statement after meeting with Greek Consul General in Mariupol Manolis Androulakis in Athens.

Dendias said that Greece’s priority is to protect ethnic Greeks but also other civilians.

The minister said that a “note verbale” has been sent to the Ukrainian side for the “facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian aid in Mariupol and another note verbale to the Russian side asking not to obstruct it.”

When things return back to normal, Dendias said, that Greece’s priority would be to rebuild the maternity hospital in Mariupol, and coordinate with the EU in order “to do everything possible to bring the city back to its previous state and to facilitate the Diaspora Greeks return to normal life after this tragedy.”

Mariupol is the home for hundreds of ethnic Greeks. More than 150 Greeks have fled the region, according to the government.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​