Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated today in the NATO Summit, which was convened extraordinarily, via teleconference. Sweden, Finland and the European institutions also participated in the teleconference.
The objective was to discuss developments following Russia’s armed, unprovoked and blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The heads of member states of the Alliance have unequivocally condemned Russian aggression, as a flagrant violation of International Law, the right of states to live freely, and Russia’s international obligations.
They expressed their unwavering support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as their solidarity towards the suffering Ukrainian people. They examined the consequences deriving from the unprovoked and illegal Russian invasion against Ukraine and decided that they will take all necessary measures to protect Allies.
The Prime Minister stressed that Russia’s aggressive actions violate International Law and harm European and International security and stability. He reminded that Greece upholds the principles of respect to territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all countries, and condemned in the most emphatic way Russia’s revisionist actions that run against these principles.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that revisionism is the main threat to world peace and it should not be tolerated, no matter where it comes from.
The Prime Minister also proposed that all NATO member states commit to implementing the framework of sanctions against Russia decided by the European Union.
He also stressed that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine highlighted the need for European strategic autonomy and for the strengthening of NATO’s European security policy, which requires that EU member states spend more on their defense. He also expressed his satisfaction for the fact that several allies stated their intention to increase their defense budgets and further assist the Alliance.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also stressed the need for gradually moving away from dependence on Russian natural gas.
The teleconference was attended by the Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff General Konstantinos Floros, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Themistoklis Demiris and the Director of the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Bureau, Ambassador Eleni Sourani.
