Greek consul in Mariupol arrived in Athens

Manolis Androulakis, the Greek consul in Mariupol, arrived in Athens last night at the Eleftherios Venizelos airport.

A family was waiting for the consul at the airport: a wife with a seven-month-old son and a father. Manolis Androulakis spoke about tragedy in Mariupol and Ukraine, urging everyone to join forces for a ceasefire, as, according to him, civilians are dying. The diplomat spoke about the difficulties in the city, which now does not resemble the former Mariupol.

He spoke about the tragedy for the Russian and Ukrainian peoples and said that Mariupol would be added to the list of cities destroyed by wars, such as Guernica, Aleppo, Leningrad.

The Consul thanked the President, the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President of Ukraine Zelensky for the maximum possible assistance in his release and provision road home, as well as two unknown families who sheltered him. The diplomat’s wife, holding their son in her arms, said excitedly, “I am very happy, thank you all.” The consul’s father looked no less agitated and touched, who emotionally said:

“We are happy and I would like to thank the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose work in resolving the situation led to this result. If not for them, my son would still be there, whatever that means. I want to thank those who supported us, and finally you media, I’ve heard wonderful things.”

At the official level, the Greek Consul was met at the airport by Andreas Katsaniotis, Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for expatriate Greeks, representing Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who is on a business trip, and Themistocles Demiris, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis contacted Manolis Androulakis on Saturday, thanking him for his bravery, service and public speaking. Government sources said the prime minister will meet with Androulakis in the coming days.

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