The Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, participated today in a Defence Ministers’ meeting, which was held on the initiative of the US Secretary of Defense, Mr. Lloyd Austin, at “Ramstein” Air Base, Germany. The said meeting focused on the developments of the war and the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ needs in equipment as well as on the provision of training and defence materiel in Ukraine so that it may face the Russian attack and revisionism, which constitutes a blatant violation of International Law.

The meeting was also attended by the HNDGS/Chief, General Konstantinos Floros.

In his address, the Minister of National Defence stressed that Greece has early on provided significant military and humanitarian aid in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who heroically and selflessly defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. It has also backed massive EU sanction packages against Russia, despite their important repercussions to the economy.

Greece has given shelter to Ukrainian refugees, whereas a certain number of beds in military hospitals have been made available to facilitate the provision of healthcare to Ukrainian injured people. Additionally, Greece will accommodate the children of Ukrainian service members, who have been injured or lost their lives during the war, in military resorts.

He highlighted that Greece will remain on Ukraine’s side for as long as it may be required, and will provide any support possible.

In the context of the Meeting, Mr. Panagiotopoulos had brief discussions with his counterparts from Ukraine, Mr. Oleksii Reznikov, Germany, Ms. Christine Lambrecht, the United Kingdom, Mr. Ben Wallace, and Italy, Mr. Lorenzo Guerini.

Following the conclusion of the work of the “Ukraine Defence Contact Group”, the Minister of National Defence, accompanied by the HNDGS/Chief, had a brief meeting with Armed Forces members currently assigned to the Allied Air Command – AIRCOM, which is located at Ramstein Air Base.