Ten Balkan leaders sign declaration in support of Ukraine at Athens summit

During the Balkan Summit in Greece, the leaders of 11 Southeastern European countries signed the Athens Declaration to support Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Rubryka reports, referring to CNN Greece, that, in the declaration, the countries expressed their unwavering support for "the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, based on the values of democracy and the rule of law, in the face of Russian aggression."

The document also notes that outside the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, which are geographically adjacent to EU member states, share a common European heritage, and "as a strategic investment in peace, security, and stability in Europe, it is important that these regions are accepted as full members of the European family."

"The invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine is a key moment for Europe, which creates a new level of awareness of common principles, unity, and a common future within the EU. This is a critical moment for our European continent's security, peace, and stability," the declaration reads.

The document also emphasizes that "laws and principles that have contributed to a stable and predictable European security order for so long have been violated, and we have once again witnessed the manifestation of the destructive consequences of revisionism."

"We agreed that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, such as attacks on civilians and destruction of infrastructure, and that all those responsible must be held accountable," the declaration said.

The document was signed by 11 leaders in the presence of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen:

• Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić;
• President of Moldova Maia Sandu;
• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky;
• President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović;
• Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis;
• Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu;
• Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti;
• Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto;
• Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovačevski;
• Prime Minister of Bulgaria Nikolai Denkov;
• Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković.

On Monday, August 21, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi met with the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in Athens. During the meeting, they discussed the current state of affairs on the front line and the security situation in the region amid the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky also met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Nikolai Denkov, in Athens and discussed the situation in the Black Sea region, including the grain corridor.

Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the development of relations between the countries and respect for the UN Charter with the head of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.