Greece begins supplying Ukraine with infantry combat vehicles: Foreign minister

By Burc Eruygur

ANKARA (AA) - Greece began delivering infantry combat vehicles to Ukraine, the Ukrainian foreign minister announced during a meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias on Wednesday.

“We appreciate the weapons that Greece is transferring to Ukraine so that we can defend our land. It is very important that the long-awaited shipment of BMP-1s for Ukraine from Greece has already begun. Soon they will arrive at our army and instantly strengthen the combat readiness and defense capability of our country," Dmytro Kuleba said.

Kuleba also expressed his gratitude to the Greek side for the assistance, adding that they are also considering filing a request for the supply of air defense equipment.

On May 31, Greece and Germany agreed on an arms swap deal for Ukraine, announced by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the end of a two-day meeting of EU leaders in Brussels.

Athens will send older BMP-1s to Ukraine from its own stock, and Berlin in return will deliver more modern equipment -- Marder 1A3s -- to Greece, the state-run news agency AMNA reported.