ANKARA

Greece refused to provide air defense systems to Ukraine, according to local media reports on Thursday.

Athens, which was approached through informal channels, informed Kyiv that it is unable to provide the systems, including short-range TOR M-1 and OSA-AK Russian-made air-defense systems, said Greek newspaper, Kathimerini.

Citing “competent Greek sources,” the newspaper said the systems, though old, still serve some air-defense needs of Greece, therefore their export is excluded.

Likewise, the daily said, “the transfer of Russian-made S-300 long-range air-defense systems, which are stored on Crete Island, is out of the question.”

After the initial transfer of AK-47 Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers to Ukraine, Greece now follows the wider EU line, which is focusing on a diplomatic solution for the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine, according to Kathimerini.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial restrictions on Moscow and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 780 civilians have been killed and 1,252 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the UN, which noted conditions on the ground make it difficult to verify the true number.

Nearly 3.17 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, said the UN refugee agency.