ATHENS – GreekPresident Katerina Sakellaropoulou joined Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in condemning the violence in Washington, D.C.that saw supporters of President Donald Trump storm the capital and invade the House and Senate.

The attack was a “dark moment in American history, she said of the scenes that shocked most Americans as well as those around the world, including country leaders, even Turkey’s strongman President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Trump friend.

“Respect for the rules is the essence of democracy. Yesterday's violence is a dark moment in American history and those who instigated it bear great responsibility,” Sakellaropoulou said in a tweet.

Respect for the rules is the essence of democracy. Yesterday's violence is a dark moment in American history and those who instigated it bear great responsibility. The duty of all should be the smooth transition to @JoeBiden’s presidency. Leaders are the first to set an example.

— President GR (@PresidencyGR) January 7, 2021

“The duty of all should be the smooth transition to Joe Biden’s Presidency. Leaders are the first to set an example,” she added.

Mitsotakis earlier tweeted: “Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C. American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.” Trump refused to appear on TV or call on his supporters to withdraw until late into the night.

Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C. American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) January 6, 2021

Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras on Thursday condemned yesterday's events in the U.S. Capitol in a post on Twitter: "The embarassing images of extreme right violence in the Capitol prove how important it is to protect democracy everyday and everywhere. Joe Biden's election should and will be resprected. The enemies of democracy will be defeated," Tsipras concluded.

Disgraceful images of far right violence in #USCapitol prove how important it is to protect democracy every day and everywhere.

The election of @JoeBiden must and will be respected.

The enemies of democracy will be defeated.

— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) January 6, 2021

Opposition Movement for Change (KINAL) leader Fofi Gennimata commented on the unprecedented events that occurred in the US.

"Forces of populism and division are trying to blackmail democracy and overthrow the popular will in Washington. It is the duty of all of us to condemn them unequivocally.The victory of democracy in the USA is a victory of all those who believe in its values all over the world," Gennimata underlined.

Δυνάμεις του λαϊκισμού & του διχασμού, επιχειρούν να εκβιάσουν την Δημοκρατία & να ανατρέψουν την λαϊκή θέληση, στην Ουάσινγκτον.

Χρέος όλων είναι να τους καταδικάσουμε απερίφραστα.

Η νίκη της Δημοκρατίας στις ΗΠΑ, είναι νίκη όλων όσων πιστεύουν στις αξίες της σε όλο τον κόσμο.

— Fofi Gennimata (@FofiGennimata) January 6, 2021

"The events in Washington, with the pre-planned invasion by extreme right forces of the Capitol, can't be explained away by Trump's idiosyncrasy alone. They are the mirror of a society in deep decay, of a world of massive competition, realignments in the balance of forces, crises and dead ends, whose consequences are paid for by the peoples of the world and which are now becoming more apparent even in the most powerful capitalist country on the planet," stated Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas on Thursday, following the events on Capitol Hill.

The attack paused the Congress’ attempt to vote to certify Biden’s election but after it later did even Trump said he would finally relent to an orderly transition – but that he also wouldn’t give up his fight to overturn what he said was a rigged election.

Four people were killed, with one woman fatally shot inside the US Capitol Building, while another three people died after suffering “medical emergencies” as the attack unfolded on live television.