Pontian Greeks living in Paphos have called on the president to come to the aid of those living in the Mariupol area of Ukraine.

In their call to President Nicos Anastasiades, the group Hellenes of Paphos said that Greeks are already counted among the dead and wounded from the bombings and hostilities.

For humanitarian reasons, they said, Cyprus should consider accepting and re-settling the refugees.

On Sunday Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos said Greek expats living in Mariupol could settle in Paphos.

He suggested many Greeks living in Ukraine will be fleeing from Mariupol and Odesa to escape the war and could be welcomed to Cyprus, in a similar way that Pontian Greeks from Georgia formerly settled there.

The Greek expats could support employment needs in the city and could easily be integrated on the island, Phedonos added.