GREECE BACKS SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA

 Greece backs sanctions against Russia and intends to accommodate Ukrainian refugees according to the Greek Prime Minister. 

 

 

“Greece, the birthplace of democracy, backs the European Union’s sanctions against Russia after its unlawful invasion of Ukraine and is ready to host Ukrainian refugees,” Prime Mister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the Greek parliament. 

 

“Greece is always on the right side if history and we are going to do the same today.  For Greece there are no dilemmas, we are on the side of Ukraine’s freedom and democracy.  Russia’s invasion has awakened old nightmares of war as Russia attempts to dismember Ukraine,” he said.

 

“The European Union was born out of the ashes of World War II.  It responded with the largest of sanctions ever launched.  The EU’s actions changed the world’s public opinion.”   The Prime Minister called for more defense cooperation among EU countries and reiterated that defense expenditure should be exempted from the budget of countries, that like Greece, are guarding the block’s external borders.

 

Mitsotakis said the EU must also support countries and businesses against a further jump in energy costs.  Like some other European countries, Greece is, unfortunately, heavily reliant on Russia for about 40% of its gas supplies.   Greek as suppliers are lining up additional cargoes,” he said.

 

“We cannot rule out attempts of Russia to blackmail.  We all realize this will disrupt global supplies and probably trigger a further rise in energy prices,” said Mitsotakis “But we all agree it is the one-off price European people will pay,” he added.