Economically and geopolitically, Europe is the big loser from the war in Ukraine, the European Union lacks leadership, vision, strategy, SYRIZA president Alexis Tsipras said during today's press conference on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki International Fair.

During the traditional press conference, the leader of the Greek opposition party spent almost three and a half hours answering questions from journalists related to various current topics in Greece: the economy, internal problems in the country, foreign policy, relations with Turkey, the wiretapping scandal, the possible post-election collaborations etc.

Regarding the Russian invasion, he expressed his support for Ukraine, saying that they are always with the one who defends himself and are against the invasion and the violation of the sovereign rights of a country, criticized the EU, but also emphasized that it is important that the measures for Russia are continuously are evaluated, so that it is not, as he said, "shooting ourselves in the foot".

- We believe that there is a great lack of strategy on the part of the European Union. We believe that from this great crisis in Ukraine, the big loser, apart from the Ukrainian people and the people who lost their lives, the big loser, economically, geopolitically, is Europe, which has a huge lack of strategy. The US is not losing, neither economically nor geostrategically. Economically, Russia is not losing either. The ruble has become one of the strongest currencies. Since the increase in the price of natural gas and the huge reserves, it has managed to become a regulator, opening and closing the tap. It is Europe that is in a vortex and in my opinion, there is a clear lack of leadership, vision, strategy, said Tsipras.

Regarding the case of wiretapping in the country, the leader of SYRIZA pointed out that "in any other country we would have had the resignation of the prime minister", he pointed out that this is an issue that does not concern SYRIZA, but democracy itself, commenting that it is about "anti-democratic sabotage".

He added that they will continue to work with the means provided by the country's institutional system to fully clear the cases, through the European Parliament and all international forums, and at the same time warned that all those who know the truth and hide it, will face criminal responsibility.

To a journalist's question about the Greek-Turkish relations, he emphasized that "Erdogan's rhetoric of escalation cannot be ignored", he added that there have always been tensions, but in recent years it has never been to such an extent and indicated that it is important to face this escalation without to be further extended to the field.

He also criticized the current Greek Prime Minister, both for his actions so far in relations with Turkey, and because he does not maintain open channels of communication with the neighboring country.

- I heard Mr. Mitsotakis say "joke" to Erdogan in his speech a week ago. I would have expected Mr. Mitsotakis to say "yoke" when he should, and not in front of his audience in Thessaloniki. To say "yoke" to the ship Oruch Race, which allegedly blew the wind and violated our sovereign rights, to say "yoke" to "Turkaegean", that is, the Turkish Aegean Sea, when they gave up the use of the name, allegedly due to an error by an employee. In critical moments, you should say "yok". He did not do that, the SYRIZA leader pointed out.

In last night's speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair, Alexis Tsipras presented the party's priorities and proposals, expressed SYRIZA's readiness to take over power, presenting the government's program with six major priorities for the next four years, including an increase in the minimum wage to 800 euros, nationalization of the Greek electricity industry, reduction of electricity bills, reduction of VAT on food, etc.

At today's press conference, he said that the specific program has been evaluated in detail and reaches up to 5,6 billion euros.