Greece joins the aviation coalition and trains Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 (video)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced Greece’s accession to the aviation coalition following talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on August 21, 2023.

“European Truth” quotes Ukrainian President:

“Today we have an important result for the aviation coalition: Greece will take part in the training of our pilots on the F-16. We are grateful that there will be Greek defense support for Ukraine. Our teams are discussing the relevant details.”

Zelensky thanked Mitsotakis for “willingness to help more with the defense of our freedom” and, the newspaper notes, counts on the Greek air defense to protect the grain corridor in the Black Sea area. About it how informs publication “Strana”, the President of Ukraine said during visit to Athens:

“Ukraine has created an alternative grain corridor in the Black Sea. It can work, but in order for its work to be stable, we need to strengthen the air shield, which is important for the Black Sea region and, in particular, Odessa. And this can be a historical contribution of Greece to the pan-European security, if you help in the defense of the Black Sea area, and regarding air defense systems.”

Ukraine also agreed to export its grain through the seaports of Croatia. Zelensky noted:

“Every contribution to unlocking exports, every open door is a real and effective contribution to world food security.”

After the resumption of the Russian blockade of the Black Sea, the export of Ukrainian crops fell by a third. Exports of grains and oilseeds in Ukraine may be reduced by another quarter in the second half of the year, experts at Oxford Economics say.

Following the meeting between the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Greece edition newsbeast.gr highlights 5 key points voiced by Zelensky:

1. Greece has joined the aviation alliance (including the initiative to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force): it will train pilots to fly the F-16. Greece is also preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine.
2. I proposed to Greece to assist Ukraine in ensuring the security of the new Black Sea corridor, thereby guaranteeing freedom of navigation and unhindered grain exports.
3. We discussed Greece’s involvement in the reconstruction of Ukraine, including the possibility of Greece taking over the restoration of Odessa.
4. After Greece signed the G7 declaration in support of Ukraine, we agreed to continue bilateral negotiations on security guarantees.
5. Ukraine is preparing to start negotiations with the EU on its accession this year, and I thanked Greece for supporting us in our bid to join the European Union. I am especially grateful to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for Ukraine’s signing of a declaration in support of Euro-Atlantic integration.

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