The fratricidal and monstrous war in Ukraine again dominated world headlines. In the latest developments on Wednesday, nine humanitarian corridors have been agreed to by Ukraine and attacking Russian forces, in order to evacuate civilians from combat zones.
Nevertheless, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, said no agreement had been reached to establish a safe corridor from the center of the besieged port city of Mariupol.
In London, an assessment by the United Kingdom’s defense ministry holds that battlefields across northern Ukraine remain largely static, with Russian forces likely conducting a period of re-organization before resuming large-scale offensive operations.
On its part, Moscow has warned the NATO alliance of “…dire consequences” if its member-states agree to send peacekeeping forces into Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said “…It would be a very reckless and extremely dangerous decision.”
On the diplomatic front, China has backed Russia over demands that the latter be expelled from the G20 forum, due to its invasion of Ukraine.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said the G20 is a main forum for international economic cooperation, and that Russia is an important member, while no member retains the right to expel another member.
Zelensky expresses thanks to Greek FM Dendias
Back in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday expressed his gratitude to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, during an online address in the Italian parliament.
Zelensky noted that Dendias is “…the first European official who has decided to support the work of the humanitarian corridors to Mariupol, in order to save our people in the city and transport humanitarian aid, which is very important for everyone there.”
Dendias on Tuesday announced that he intends to accompany a humanitarian aid mission to the port city of Mariupol, saying that he had sent an official notice to the Ukrainian side to facilitate the mission’s passage, as well as to the Russian side to not impede it.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew invited to Poland
Moreover, in neighboring Poland, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church of Poland, presided over by the Archbishop of Warsaw and Metropolitan of All Poland, His Beatitude Sava, this week condemned the war against Ukraine.
Members of the Holy Synod also beseeched the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Kirill, to directly intervene towards ending the bloodshed between two fraternal peoples.
In a related development, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople announced that the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has officially invited the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew I, to visit eastern European country in order to bless, console and strengthen the numerous Ukrainian refugees taking shelter in Poland.
Serbian Patriarch Porfirije meets with Ukrainian refugees in Belgrade
In another part of Europe, the Patriarch of Serbia, His Holiness Porfirije, this week met with a family of Ukrainian war refugees who have found shelter in Belgrade.
In a statement, His Holiness noted that “…our people know very well how evil war is, and especially refugees’ suffering.”
Support to Ukrainian refugees arriving on Corfu
Back in Greece, and also in a related development, the Metropolis of Corfu is standing by the side of Ukrainian refugees that have reached the Ionian Island. The Metropolitan of Corfu, Paxous and the Diapontian Isles, His Eminence Nektarios, has ordered that food and necessary aid be provided to Ukrainian families.
