Visit to Odessa: Pan-European conviction for the attack and background from the meeting with Zelensky

Hours of agony lived the Greek mission after the Russian hit in Odessa. The missile attack took place near his motorcade, just minutes before the meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, . Greece’s will to help rebuild Ukraine, with emphasis on Odessa, expressed to Volontimir Zelensky the . However, a few minutes earlier had meant an alarm following the Russian missile attack near the Ukrainian president’s motorcade. Ukrainian media report an expansion in Odesa Recording to Greek media reports, Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis were scheduled to meet in today. — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) During his joint statements with Zelensky, the Greek Prime Minister referred to the attack saying that “when we heard some sirens and shortly after we went to our cars we heard a major explosion. For us it is the best reminder that this is a real war. Every day. Who not only affects the front, the soldiers, affects our innocent fellow citizens.” President of Ukraine Zelensky at press-conference with PM of Greece in Odesa: there are dead and beaten in missile strike against Odesa today, and we’ve seen that strike (new delegation) — Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) Despite the Russian attack that preceded, the Greek mission continued its program until late in the afternoon, when Kyriakos Mitsotakis drove to Chisinau, Moldova, and from there he arrived to Bucharest where he will attend the plenary session of the European People’s Party. Odessa: What the Russian Ministry of Defence says about the attack – What the Ukrainian side says Moscow admitted responsibility for the hit in Odessa. The Ministry of Defence of Russia issued a communication stating that: “at 11:40 today (p. 06.03.2024) it caused a missile strike at a hangar in the port industrial zone, where they were hit with precision missiles ready unmanned yachts, which were ready for operational action.” For its part Ukraine says that the rocket hit this point because it is the only way out of Ukrainian cereals and is a critical port as it is the last in the South and the Black Sea. For Ukraine, it is clear that the blow concerns Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky. A European conviction for the Russian attack in Odessa during the visit of Mitsotakis One – one Europeans condemned the Russian attack during the visit of the Greek Prime Minister. “I express my clearest conviction for the attack that took place today in Odessa, at the meeting of Volontimir Zelenski with Kyriakos Mitsotakis” stressed, in a written statement, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. “This umpteenth Russian act of intimidation will produce no results and will not weaken Ukrainian resistance, on whose side Italy and its government stand, without any retreat,” Meloni added. Earlier, and the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leien, condemned the attack on Odessa: “I strongly condemn Russia’s heinous attack on Odessa during the visit of Volontimir Zelenski and Kyriakos Mitsotakis,” she says with her posting on the platform H Ursula von der Lien. He underlines that “no one is intimidated by this new terrorist attempt – certainly neither the two leaders on the ground nor the brave people of Ukraine.” “More than ever, we stand by Ukraine’s side” ends Ursula von der Leien. “The attack on Odessa during the visit of President Volontimir Zelenski and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is another sign of Russia’s cowardly tactics in its offensive war against Ukraine,” European Council President Charles Michel wrote in turn with his posting on platform X. He notes that “this is also reprehensible for Kremlin tactics”. “The EU’s full support for Ukraine and its brave people will not waver,” concludes Charles Michel. Intense conviction for the Russian attack on Odessa, expresses with his post in “X”, the Economy Commissioner, Paolo Gentiloni. “Russian drones in Odessa against the motorcade of Ukrainian President, Zelenski and the Greek Prime Minister, Mitsotakis. They were there together to honor the memory of the victims of another Russian attack. Shame!”, he noted. “War is fought here, not only on the front” “Here is real war. Every day. Who not only affects the front, the soldiers, affects our innocent fellow citizens,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during his joint statements with Ukrainian President Zelensky and expressed his disapproval of Russian actions. “Our appallment of Russia’s actions against your country has been expressed many times, but it will never stop us from suffering such a degree of violence and barbarism, which leads to the death of civilians, young children and even infants. We travelled here today in Odessa, visited the site of the Russian attack and I was clearly impressed by the image of the disaster you have suffered but on the other hand also the image of the resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people.” The background of the Mitsotakis visit in Odessa Kyriakos Mitsotakis had long expressed his desire to visit Odessa, in order to send a message of support to Ukraine, as well as a message to the Greek element of Ukraine, since it is one of the most important centres of Greek education of Diaspora and the seat of the Philiki Society, a symbol of historical and cultural ties, state government sources. He first visited the port of the city, where he was welcomed by the Ukrainian president, and was informed of the operation of the grain export corridor through the Black Sea and the Danube. He then went to the Odessa port administration building, where he had a four-to-four meeting with Volondimir Zelensky. A meeting followed with the participation of the delegations of the two countries. Kyriakos Mitsotakis pointed out Greece’s will to help rebuild Ukraine, with emphasis on Odessa, a city of great historical and cultural significance for our country. Other areas of cooperation were also examined, such as energy, where Greece plays an important role in the operation of Europe’s southern supply corridor and develops the vertical connecting corridor to better meet the needs of the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The two leaders went immediately after the residential complex which was hit a few days ago resulting in the death of 12 civilians, including five children, where they deposited bouquets at the monument in honor of the victims. The prime minister then visited the museum of the Philiki Society, which is housed in the old residence of the national benefactor Gregory Marasli, and deposited a wreath at the monument that has been erected in the courtyard of the museum in honor of the three founders of the Philiki Society, Nicolaos Skoufa, Athanasios Tsakalof and Emmanuel Xanthos. Kyriakos Mitsotakis even had the opportunity to chat with Greeks of Diaspora and expatriates gathered to welcome him to the museum. “I wanted to come specifically to Odessa – we managed and found a way to coordinate our programmes with President Zelenski – to know that we are close to you, we support Ukraine, but we support you in the struggle that you are making to keep your Greek roots alive. I am very moved at the opportunity to meet you and I think we are all overwhelmed by the tragedy especially of the Hellenism of Marioupoli. We want to do everything in our power to leave behind these very difficult times and look at the future with more optimism. But I really thank you for taking the trouble to come here today and I really wish you the best,” the Prime Minister stressed. “All of Europe supports Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and independence. And of course Greece cannot be missing from this effort,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis completed. The visit was organized under extreme secrecy for security reasons.