Zelensky calls on Greece to help send humanitarian mission to Mariupol

“I urge you now, openly, to create such a new union of friends, which will be able to save the Ukrainians and Greeks of the south of our state. Which will be able to help Mariupol. The city needs humanitarian aid! The city needs its people - survivors and wounded - to be saved. Russia has been blocking Mariupol since the beginning of March, blocking on land and at sea. It does not allow even basic humanitarian cargo into the city. I am convinced that the strength of Greece can help carry out this mission. Days are numbered,” Zelensky said in his address to the Parliament of Greece.

During the speech of the President of Ukraine, an address of ethnic Greeks, members of the Azov Regiment who now defend Mariupol, to the Parliament was shown.

“Should I talk about the difficulties of this fight against the enemy? As a soldier and a son of my land, I don't think I should. It is my duty as a man and a citizen. But I can't help but tell about the catastrophic, inhumane conditions in which the residents of my city have found themselves. You know that Mariupol is a part of Greece in Ukraine. That's why you have always helped this city. It is your efforts that also helped the city to flourish. Now this city is 90% destroyed by the Russian occupiers. From March 1, the city is completely cut off from the outside world, the city has no water, food, medicines. The city experiences a humanitarian catastrophe. The enemy bombs peaceful neighborhoods, constantly fires artillery, launches missile strikes from the sea. Thousands of people with ethnic Greeks among them are dying, there is no one to bury them,” said Mykhailo, a resident and defender of Mariupol, addressing the Greek parliamentarians.

Another defender of Mariupol, Anastas, stressed that hundreds of people were dying under the rubble in the city right now and there was no one to help them.

"The enemy does not let people out of the city, and we have no one to save them. What can you do? Speak. Including about your people. Little Ukrainian Greek children who lost their parents are now dying in basements. Azov [Regiment] has the courage to withstand much superior enemy forces. Will you have the courage to come to the dying population of Mariupol with humanitarian aid? These are your people also, help save them,” Anastas said.

As reported, Mariupol, Donetsk region, has been experiencing one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes due to Russian aggression. The invaders bomb unarmed residents and block the delivery of humanitarian aid. According to Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko, as of March 27, the number of civilian casualties in Mariupol was about 5,000 people, including about 210 children.

There are now about 130,000 civilians in Mariupol, blocked by Russian invaders, begging for help.

Russian troops have turned Mariupol into a huge ruin. Local residents faint from hunger in the streets, and enemy bombs bury them alive in bomb shelters.

Fighters of the Azov Regiment stay in Mariupol and continue to defend the city.

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