The diplomatic missions of Greece in Kiev, Mariupol and Odessa are in constant contact with the federation of Greek associations and their members because of the emergency situation that has developed in Ukraine.
Evangelos Venizelos, Greece’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed his deep concern for the escalation of violence in the eastern regions of Ukraine.
More specifically, Venizelos pointed out that the safety of all citizens in Ukraine is an issue of primary importance and that the collaboration of all social, political and ethnic forces, within a democratic framework, will bring an end to the crisis and ensure the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The crisis in Ukraine is escalating, bringing death and destruction. Forty-two people died in the Black Sea port of Odessa on Friday in a fire at the trade unions building after a clash between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian protesters. ‘The Odessa Massacre’, as some are calling it, was the greatest single loss of life in Ukraine since the revolution started in February.
US President Barack Obama called on Russia to order pro-Russian military groups in Ukraine to stand down, threatening further sanctions if they failed to comply. He stated that the escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine proves to the world that pro-Russia militants are not peaceful protesters, and expressed his support for the newly installed Ukrainian government.