Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos expressed his deep concern at the escalation of violence in the eastern regions of Ukraine and at the tragic deaths of at least ten citizens who were killed today in bombings in the area of Mariupol.

Mr. Venizelos stressed that the security of the citizens of Ukraine is a chief condition for the continuation of the dialogue and the search for solutions that ensure the participation of all the regions and all of the political, social and ethnic forces in a credible framework of democracy, rule of law and respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Greece’s Embassy in Kiev and Consulates General in Mariupol and Odessa are monitoring the situation on the ground and are in ongoing contact with the region’s Federation of Greek Associations and the Associations’ members in order to provide any assistance deemed necessary to the families of residents of Greek origin in the region.