“Ukraine is not alone. We are on your side.” With this phrase he addressed himself the US ambassador to Greece George Tsounis to the refugee children from Ukraine who are hosted in the CHANTH campin Agios Nikolaos of Halkidiki, wanting to assure them – on the day of the national anniversary of their homeland – of the American support to the Ukrainian people who are being tested.

Accompanied by the new consul general of the USA in Thessaloniki, Jerry Ismail [Jerrier (Jerry) Ismail], Mr. Tsounis had the opportunity to meet, yesterday afternoon, with the twenty children from Ukraine who are participating in the camp program organized by Eduact – Action for Education, in collaboration with the National University of Athens. It’s about a program supported by the US Embassy in Greece and the State Department’s Education and Cultural Affairs Office, ECA.

“The US has allocated 60 billion to support Ukraine and we will not stop until each and every one of you and every Ukrainian can return to a country that is free, safe, united and wholly Ukrainian. I’m sorry for what you’ve had to go through in your life. We love you all, we care about you and we stand by you,” said the United States ambassador.

In his statements a little later, Mr. Tsounis did not hide his satisfaction for the fact that through this camp program the children had the opportunity to experience happy moments. “As a father of three children, when I see these children from Ukraine who are here, I think of my own children. Because today, this war that gave so many problems to the children of Ukraine, tomorrow may be in another country. That is why it is important to tell Mr. Putin and anyone else who is thinking of doing these things that we will not allow anyone to forcefully change the borders of a sovereign country,” he said. “This will not be allowed in Ukraine and will not be tolerated” he underlined and added: “The United States and its NATO allies stand by Ukraine because it is unthinkable to overturn the rules based on the international order.”

He stressed that it is time to send a very clear message to authoritarian leaders around the world that this is unacceptable and that NATO and Europe will come together to ensure that not only does this invasion fail, but that every Ukrainian can return to his home country. He also pointed out that this also sends a message to those who are thinking of attacking and invading a neighboring country, that “the civilized world is not going to tolerate such a thing”.

“We hope that with the help of the allies, the war will end and we will return to our homes”

In the camp of Agios Nikolaos yesterday afternoon – for the second time in a week – and the deputy consul of Ukraine in Thessaloniki Igor Vodolazhskyi. Wearing the traditional vyshyvanka, she exchanged wishes with the children on the day of Ukraine’s independence and, taking the floor, thanked the United States for its support and everyone who contributed to the organization of this special camp experience.

“Today (yesterday) we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of our independence. Not all Ukrainians are able to celebrate this anniversary in their particular homelands. We hope that with the help of our allies, the war will end and we will all be able to return to our homes,” said the Ukrainian diplomat.

Dance, song and emotion from the refugee children

With dance, song and touching personal stories from their own refugee journey, the children wanted to say their own “thank you” to everyone who contributed to spend a week full of new experiences but also lots of carefree.

They danced lively to the rhythm of a pop song to show, as they said, that despite the problems they maintain their optimism, they held in their hands white stickers on which they had written in Greek and Ukrainian all the things they want in their lives (friendship, truth , cooperation, freedom, independence, etc.) and for a moment they teared up when they heard the “odyssey” of some of them or when they all together sang the national anthem of Ukraine while holding in their hands the flag of their country. To wear again, however, a little later their brightest smile when the sound of the guitar started to play “Stand by me” reminding them that they are not alone in this adventure. They did not fail to ask the United States ambassador for the continuation of the programs that “run” throughout the year at the Thessaloniki Tech Lab/American Space, which, as they said, they enjoy very much.

The ambassador and consul general of the USA as well as Hon. consul of Ukraine in Thessaloniki was welcomed by the founder and president of Eduact Kostas Vassiliou and the general director of the HANTH Vassilis Ioannou.