ATHENS – The Greek Foreign Affairs ministry held an event to commemorate the year anniversary of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia and express Greece’s support to Ukrainian people, on Friday evening.

It included special lighting of the neoclassical ministry building with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, mournful music, and a minute of silence for war victims, followed by the national anthems of Greece and Ukraine.

Standing next to Ukrainian Ambassador Sergii Shutenko and other diplomats at the building’s threshold, FM Nikos Dendias conveyed a message of support to the Ukrainian people, and called for an end to war, which he called “a threat to global peace and stability.”

February 24 is a sad day for Europe and humanity, Dendias said: “Exactly a year ago, the world witnessed something we believe will never happen again in the European continent – Russia initiated a full-scale, unjustified invasion against Ukraine.”

“We continue to support the immediate and unconditional end of warfare and aggressive actions against Ukraine and its people, including the Greek minority in the country,” Dendias added, calling for a resolution that is based on International Law and the United Nations Charter.

Here follows FM Dendias’ full statement at the event:

“Α sad day for Europe. Α very sad day for humanity. Exactly one year ago, the world witnessed something that we believed was never going to happen again in the European continent. Russia launched a full- scale unjustifiable invasion against Ukraine.

Today, we gather together to condemn the unlawful actions of Russia against the sovereign nation of Ukraine. A clear violation of international law. A violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. A threat to global peace and stability.

We show our solidarity to the Ukrainian people who have suffered -and continue to suffer- immensely. Thousands have lost their lives. Thousands have been displaced. The country’s infrastructure has been demolished by an invasion that was repeatedly condemned by the whole of international community.

Just a few hours ago, in New York, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The resolution, with our firm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejected any Russian claims to the parts of the country it occupies.

Greece from day one stands by Ukraine, stands by the Ukrainian people. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, respect for international law, rejection of the threat or use of force. These are the fundamental principles of our foreign policy.

For us, Greeks, there was no dilemma. We immediately, unequivocally condemned the invasion. Greece is against revisionism. Greece opposes any attempt to change the border of any sovereign country.

We stand together with our partners in the European Union. We stand together with our allies in NATO. We support every resolution within the United Nations condemning this invasion.

Greece has provided Ukraine with aid and assistance. We will continue doing so as long as Ukrainians defend themselves against the Russian attack.

We will continue advocating for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities and acts of aggression against Ukraine and its people, including the Greek minority in the country.

When this war will be over, any solution should be based on the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Among other horrible things happening, innocent civilians are paying the price for this aggression. The war must stop before more lives are lost, before more damage is done.

We owe this to Ukraine and its brave people. We owe this to the rules-based international order. We owe this to humanity. We owe this to the generations to come.

Thank you.”