Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made special reference to Greece’s first post-Revolutionary governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth on 11 February.

In her message, Zakharova described Kapodistrias as a “Russian politician” who provided “national and patriotic service” when he became governor of Greece. However, it is surprising that in an earlier statement – in 2021 – she had called him a “Russian politician of Greek origin”. A formulation that was not repeated this time.

Russian MFA’s post on Kapodistrias

More specifically, the Russian Foreign Ministry, in a post on Platform X with statements by Zakharova, says the following: “On February 11, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of Russian politician and diplomat Ivan Kapodistrias. The culmination of his national and patriotic service was his election in April 1827 as President (Governor) of the emerging Greek state.”
The highlight of his national and patriotic service was his election in April 1827 as President (Governor) of the emerging Greek state.

Indeed, the Russian version of the same post states that “these days mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Russian politician and diplomat Ivan Antonovich Kapodistrias.”