Diplomatic courtesy abounded, but so did the peaks in today’s briefing by Ukrainian Ambassador to Athens Serhiy Sutenko, as the role of Greek shipowners in transporting Russian oil has come to the fore.
The Ukrainian ambassador appeared optimistic about the developments in the business field, claiming that life returns to many Ukrainian cities, hence many Ukrainian citizens turn to their Consulate here every day, to consider the issue of their repatriation, while at the same time continuing their visits. leaders in Kyiv.
Mr. Sutenko said that a thousand companies from around the world, including Greek ones, have stopped their activities in Russia. Unfortunately, he added, some continue and we call on those of them in Greece who have not publicly stated that they stop, to do so, because continuing their activities in Russia is tantamount to participating in crimes.
According to him, the international community should evaluate Ukraine’s role in the global supply of agri-food products, as was seen during the pandemic, and act to end the blockade of Ukrainian ports, as its extension will worsen international food problem. He added, however, that the opening of the ports presupposes the defeat of Russia.
The Ukrainian ambassador said that in April 190 tankers were transported carrying Russian crude oil or petroleum products, of which 76 belonged to Greek shipowners, who not only continued the transport but actually tripled it compared to 2021. Although, acknowledging that there is no embargo on Russian oil, Sutenko said it was a moral issue, which shocked the Greek community in Mariupol, among other things, since it was ultimately a speculation of human bloodshed.
Mr. Sutenko characteristically pointed out that his country understands the problems of EU member states, which have a high degree of dependence on Russian hydrocarbons and can not directly differentiate their imports. However, he said, the case of Greek shipowners is different, because the Russian oil they transport does not meet the needs of Greece, but is intended for third countries. Therefore, the continuation of the transfer is not something critical for Greece, but rather for the Greek shipowners themselves.
Regarding the shipment of Greek weapons to Ukraine, the head of the Ukrainian delegation stated that he has been in constant contact with the Ministry of Defense, the Maximos Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the very beginning. As he said, some material has already been received, but the Ukrainian needs are turning to this second phase of the war towards anti-aircraft systems and armored vehicles, more useful for the current mobility and land recovery. The problem, he added, does not lie in some refusal of Greece to provide material, but in how this will be combined with the needs of our country for its defense.
K. Raptis
Source: Capital
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