By Nick Stamatakis

In our main photo, you can see the big statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias in the central part of Saint Petersburg.  Kapodistrias was Russia’s Foreign Minister in the early 19th century, in the critical years before the start of the Greek Revolution, and is considered to be a very influential political figure not simply for Russia but for Europe.  Without his deft diplomatic moves, France would have been split in 2 to 3 pieces after the defeat of Napoleon in Waterloo.  He was also the author of the constitution of Switzerland (which is still in use today – the most democratic globally!!).  He was the real leader of the Greek Revolution for the success of which he sacrificed everything (all his money, a serious love affair, etc), including his own life, in the end…  You could add a number of Greek officers to the Russian Army at the time, including the Ypsilantis Brothers (who started the revolution in Moldova and Wallachia) and Lambros Katsonis. The 1821 Revolution would not have been possible without the Greek Commercial Navy, which was allowed thanks the Russian Czarina Catherine the Great to raise the Russian Flag and carry cannons (After the 1774 Russo-Turkish Treaty of Kucuk Caynarca)… 

These are historical facts that the Mitsotakis government chose to forget by issuing a directive to all Greek Embassies not to allow Russian diplomats to participate in this year’s March 25th celebrations… This drew the justified ire of the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova…

As a specialist in the use and abuse of history in politics, I can assure you that nothing good will come from Mitsotakis’s nonsensical move and his FM Gerapetritis.  We have seen enough of this disgusting game in America over the last few years, with the demolition of the American Revolution’s heroes by determined leftists… We have seen the proof by our own eyes…

Thank God Cyprus Embassies globally did not follow this stupidity and celebrations there went ahead as they always were done… 

March 25, 2024, n.stamatakis@aol.com   www.helleniscope.com

DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.

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Zakharova on March 25: Instead of wishes, Greece needs history lessons

Maria Zakharova accused the Mitsotakis government of “erasing from the collective memory Russia’s role in the 1821 revolution”.

Zakharova on March 25th: Instead of wishes, Greece needs history lessons – TA NEA

In a statement, Maria Zakharova blames the Mitsotakis government for the non-participation of a Russian delegation in the celebrations of the anniversary of the declaration of the Greek revolution of 1821 and Independence.

She states that “the Russian Empire, Russia, played the key role contributing substantially to the successful outcome of the national liberation struggle of the Greeks for their independence.” A separate reference is reserved for Ioannis Capodistrias. Foreign Affairs of Russia, before taking over as the first Governor of Greece.

Specifically, he states that “Among the leaders of the highest level of the Greek State at the dawn of its establishment there were many of those who previously for a long time served devotedly, faithfully and honestly our country.”

The spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that over time in Greece “they recognized the decisive contribution of Russian weapons and diplomacy to the victory of the Greek Revolution of 1821, respected the memory of Russian philhellenes, took care of the common pages of the glorious past of the two countries.”

Maria Zakharova stood by not inviting a Russian delegation to the celebrations (ed. Traditionally there are representatives of the Great Powers, namely Russia, England and France). “We took into account that this year, by order of the leadership of the Greek Foreign Ministry, the traditional celebrations on the occasion of March 25, both in Greece and in its delegations abroad, will be held once again without Russian participation,” he said.

The spokeswoman speaks of an “unlimited hostile campaign” against Russia, “which was launched and continues by the Mitsotakis government with the aim of erasing from the collective memory everything related to Russia, sacrificing for the sake of temporary circumstances – the eternal historical, cultural and spiritual ties between our two peoples”.

She accused Greece that “on the wave of aggressive Russophobia, Athens persists in its criminal decisions, including sending weapons to Ukraine, with which the Kiev regime continues to exterminate civilians, including Greeks from Azov.”

She continued that Greece ignored an invitation to meet with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry: “The current rulers, hiding behind collective decisions of the West, have suspended our bilateral dialogue and any kind of cooperation. As if this were not enough, the Greek Embassy in Moscow, among other diplomatic missions of EU member states, flouted the rules of diplomatic communication and ignored the invitation to meet with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

She accused the Greek government of ignoring history itself, saying that “For our part, on March 25 we forwarded our thoughts and assessments directly to the Geek Embassy here. It is pathetic that instead of sending wishes for the national holiday, as was once appropriate, we are forced, on this day, to remind Athens of its elementary history lessons.”

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