Following the diplomatic notes Athens delivered to Kyiv regarding the Ukrainian maritime drone detected off the coast of Lefkada—with the Greek side making it clear that the spillover of the war’s consequences into the Mediterranean is unacceptable— Ukraine expressed its regret over the incident, attributing it to the conditions created by ongoing Russian aggression.
In a post on social media, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhii Tykhyi, stated that the incident involving the unmanned surface vehicle (sea drone) found near Lefkada was “a result of the conditions created by ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
At the same time, the Ukrainian side expressed its gratitude to Greece and the Greek people for the steadfast support they have provided to Kyiv since the first days of the Russian invasion, emphasizing that it places particular value on the friendly relations between the two countries.
The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reiterated his country’s commitment to the rules of international law and the principles of maritime security, noting that every possible effort will be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In his statement, Heorhii Tykhyi further noted that contemporary challenges to international and regional security, as well as the activities of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” are a shared concern for Greece and Ukraine.
He emphasized, in fact, that the incident in Lefkada, as well as similar incidents recorded in other countries in the region, demonstrates that Russia’s ongoing aggression poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to neighboring friendly states, Europe, and the international community as a whole.
In conclusion, the Ukrainian side reiterated its intention to continue deepening bilateral relations with Greece and developing a constructive dialogue in all areas of mutual interest.
The full post by the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“In light of the incident involving the unmanned surface vehicle (sea drone) that was detected near the Greek island of Lefkada, the Ukrainian side expresses its gratitude to Greece and the Greek people for the steadfast support they have provided to our country from the very first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. Ukraine places particular value on the friendly relations it maintains with Greece.
As contemporary challenges to international and regional security, particularly maritime security, as well as the activities of the Russian “shadow fleet,” are a shared concern for both Greece and Ukraine, Ukraine underscores its commitment to the rules of international law and the principles of safe navigation, noting its interest in preventing similar incidents in the future.
In this context, the Ukrainian side expresses its regret over the incident, emphasizing that it was a result of the circumstances created by Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian side is convinced that this specific incident, as well as similar incidents in other regions, demonstrates that ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine poses a threat not only to our country, but also to neighboring friendly states, Europe, and the international community as a whole.
Ukraine remains committed, together with Greece, to further deepening the friendly relations between our two countries and to developing a constructive dialogue in all areas of mutual interest.”