“Revisionism and disrespect for the basic principles of international law must be stopped from the very beginning. If this is not done, the aggressors are invited to advance their agenda,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized in his message to President of Ukraine V. Zelensky at the Online Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Crimean International Platform.

Mr. Mitsotakis once again expressed his sympathy and support for Ukraine’s struggle, he was vehemently against changing the borders and referred to the Turkish imposition on Cyprus, comparing it to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“We previously had a similar experience with the Turkish invasion and occupation of large parts of Cyprus in 1974. This wound is still open, almost 50 years later. We know the pain and cost this brings to the country,” Mr. Mitsotakis said.

“It is fundamental for Greece not to accept the border changes that Russia is trying to impose on Ukraine. “Greece will be there when this war is over to support the restoration of Ukraine and help Kyiv on its European path,” the prime minister said specifically.

Prime Minister’s message in detail:

Dear President Zelensky,

Expensive,

It gives me great pleasure to be with you today, albeit in digital format, on the eve of the Independence Day of Ukraine. It has been eight years since Russia illegally occupied and annexed Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Tomorrow marks six months since Russia’s unprovoked invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine. It was not an expression of self-determination. These were classic violations of the basic rules and principles of international law.

The inviolability of borders is the foundation upon which Europe has been built since the Helsinki Final Act. The capture of Crimea in 2014 was the first step, and on February 24 the next: a revisionist plan to redraw Europe’s borders. We had a similar experience in the past with the Turkish invasion and occupation of large parts of Cyprus in 1974. This wound has still not healed, almost 50 years later. We know what pain and cost this brings to the country.

We have all seen the consequences of the occupation and annexation of Crimea: violations of human rights, mainly against Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, the destruction of vital infrastructure, a sharp deterioration in the freedom of navigation in the Black and Azov Seas. Crimea, historically the homeland of many peoples and cultures, including ours, is now absorbed by Russian expansionism. And since February, Russia has also used Crimea for its military operations in a major offensive against Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

What lessons should be learned from 2014? First of all, it is necessary to stop revisionism and disrespect for the basic principles of international law from the very beginning. If this is not done, the attackers will be prompted to continue with their plans. After all, along with the heroic citizens of Ukraine whose lives were devastated by the war, our society is also facing severe consequences due to the Russian invasion.

Greece has been unreservedly on the side of Ukraine from the beginning, in line with its long history of resisting authoritarianism and those who abuse their power to impose their will on a neighbor. We will continue to support Ukraine.

It is fundamental for Greece not to accept the border changes that Russia is trying to impose on Ukraine. Greece will be there when this war is over to support the rebuilding of Ukraine and help Kyiv on its European path.

Mr. President, you and your people are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for standing up for these values ​​that are so important to our citizens and countries. My warmest congratulations on tomorrow’s celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day.