Mitsotakis Heads to Odessa for Ukraine-SE Europe Summit

Odessa carries particular historical and emotional significance for Greece: it was one of the most important centers of Greek education in the diaspora and the birthplace of Greece’s Filiki Eteria (Society of Friends), a symbol of enduring historical and cultural ties between the two peoples.

Greece’s intention is to help rebuild Odessa after its bombing by Russia; in an attempt to ensure the protection of Odessa’s historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in January 2023.

It is worth recalling that the first Ukraine–South-Eastern Europe Summit was held in Athens in August 2023 on Mitsotakis’s initiative. Mitsotakis also visited on March 2024, during which an explosion occured close to Zelensky’s motorcade– the Greek delegation was not injured.

Following the trip to Odessa, the Prime Minister will visit Moldova on Thursday, June 12, to reaffirm Greece’s support for Moldova’s European path and deepening cooperation—especially in energy, where Greece is contributing to the country’s security of supply.

Then he will fly to Stockholm, Sweden to meet his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson.