Greece has sent Ukraine a second diplomatic note over the drone incident — Ekathimerini
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it has issued a second diplomatic protest to Ukraine. The reason was an incident involving a naval drone, which was reportedly detected in the Ionian Sea. Athens has expressed concern and is awaiting an explanation regarding the circumstances of the incident.
The demarches were made following the conclusions of the General Staff of the Greek Armed Forces. Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis briefed the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaya Kallas, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers last week in Limassol, Cyprus.
Athens has lodged both verbal and written protests with the Ukrainian Embassy in Athens and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv. Greek officials say they have not yet received a response from Kyiv to the issues raised both directly by Gerapetritis and through official demarches.
Greece has highlighted four main concerns. First, it argued that the activity of the “Kozak Mamai” drone, which was found near the island of Lefkada, constitutes an extension of military operations into the Mediterranean Sea, far from the actual front line, posing risks to Greece’s national security and economy.
Second, Athens stated that the drone’s presence in Greek territorial waters endangered maritime navigation and could have led to civilian casualties, as well as harm the environment.
Third, Greece stated that Ukraine’s right to self-defense, while fully respected, cannot serve as a justification for such actions.
Fourth, Athens expressed strong disagreement and called on Ukraine to refrain from such actions and from what it called the unjustified extension of military operations into the Mediterranean Sea.
Zohiu confirmed Greece’s support for efforts aimed at achieving a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, respect for international law, and national sovereignty. “Greece supports the cessation of hostilities. And, as the foreign minister said, the war does not end by expanding it,” she added.
This was reported by Ekathimerini.
Earlier, Greece claimed that a maritime drone near Lefkada was of “Ukrainian origin.”
A conflict is brewing between Ukraine and Greece over maritime drones.
