Murderous attack on ethnic Greeks in Ukraine
16.2.2022
Question for written answer E-000678/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)
Ukrainian fanaticism has already claimed the first lives in this fresh conflict. On 13 February 2022, two Ukrainians of Greek descent were perceived as enemies and killed and two others were injured in a act perpetrated by individuals who were, in all likelihood, fanatical Ukrainian soldiers.
According to the ‘Save Donbass’ representative, the circumstances surrounding the two deaths, the identity of the soldiers, their unit and the likelihood of them being brought before a military tribunal have not been elucidated.
The area is being terrorised by not only Ukrainian soldiers but also mercenaries and neo-Nazi security forces. Although Ukraine has ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, it appears that non-Ukrainians are, without exception, no longer welcome in the country.
The attack took place in the village of Hranitne, which is home to a community of around 3 500 Greeks that has been living there for about 2 500 years and speaks a dialect similar to that spoken in the Georgian district of Tsalka. The first Greek church and school were erected there in the 7th century.
In view of this:
- 1.Can the Commission say how it plans to uncover the truth behind the killing of the two ethnic Greeks?
- 2.Given that the EU is funding the 2016-2023 ‘U-LEAD with Europe’ multi-donor action programme, what action has been taken and commitments made at local and regional level for the protection of the Greek community in Ukraine?
- 3.Does the Commission consider that Ukraine should step up the special status of the Greek minority?