In diplomatic visits to Greece, Peanut—the adopted dog of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis—has become a viral presence on social media.
During a recent visit by German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, aimed at strengthening strategic relations between Germany and Greece, the minister met with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in Athens. Alongside the formal discussions, the visit also produced a lighter, widely shared moment featuring Peanut at the Maximos Mansion. Wadephul later posted on social media, including a video in which he humorously asked whether Peanut was “the real boss” of the Maximos Mansion. Mitsotakis responded simply: “Yes.”
Mitsotakis was then seen petting Peanut while jokingly addressing him in reference to global geopolitical issues, asking: “Do you want to show us a route through the Strait of Hormuz? Can you be useful in any shape or form?”
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Who is Peanut?
Peanut, one of Mitsotakis most trusted advisors, was officially adopted on 18 April 2021, after a visit to the Animal Welfare Union of Ilioupoli shelter in Athens.
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The adoption followed a visit made by Mitsotakis to the shelter in the days surrounding World Stray Animals Day. During that visit, he encountered the small stray dog, who had been living at the facility.
According to accounts he later shared publicly, the interaction was immediate and spontaneous: Peanut approached him enthusiastically upon arrival, creating an instant bond that ultimately led to the decision to adopt him. Mitsotakis himself later described the encounter by saying that the dog chose him. “The truth is that I did not chose him, he chose us”.
PM Mitsotakis plays with Peanut, while waiting to welcome the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, July 27, 2021.
Shortly after the adoption was confirmed, Peanut moved into the Maximos Mansion, the official residence and workplace of the Greek Prime Minister. He quickly adapted to his new environment, exploring the building and becoming a familiar presence among staff. Reports from the time described him as friendly and sociable, easily interacting with people working in the Prime Minister’s office and becoming something of an unofficial mascot of the residence.
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meets with the President of France Emmanuel Macron, at Maximos Mansion, in Athens, Greece, 25 April 2026. The French President Emmanuel Macron is paying a two-day official visit to Athens, focusing on renewing the Greek-French defense and security agreement.
Macron and Peanut
During a high-level visit to Athens on 25 April 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met at the Maximos Mansion to sign nine major agreements, significantly expanding bilateral cooperation between Greece and France.
The two leaders formalized an upgraded strategic partnership covering a wide range of sectors, including defense, energy, technology, education, research, migration policy, environmental protection and cultural exchange.
You can guess who was there during this pivotal moment…. Peanut.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron reaches down to pet a dog prior to a media conference with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
Repatriation Flight Back From the Middle east
At the beginning of the conflict in Iran, when global flights were disrupted and thousands of travelers were stranded in countries such as Qatar and the UAE, Greece organized one of the first pet repatriation flights.
Unsurprisingly, Peanut, featured in the moment in a lighthearted way. In a video shared by Mitsotakis, he is seen speaking to Peanut and saying, “We are bringing your friends home, will you be polite?” to which the dog responds with a characteristic expression.
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Peanut and the New Year’s Carols at the Maximos Mansion
On New Year’s Eve, the Maximos Mansion was filled with festive spirit as the Union of Liosion Residents from Ilion visited Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to perform traditional carols, exchange warm wishes, and celebrate the occasion alongside the Prime Minister and his daughter. Peanut, appeared dressed in a festive Christmas outfit.
Metsola Approves Peanut as an Advisor
On November 2025, during the visit of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to Athens, she met Peanut. In a Facebook post shared later, she jokingly referred to him as one of the “most loyal advisors,” while also expressing ‘his’ pride in the European Parliament’s work on animal welfare.
Greek-Turkish Meeting… and Peanut Of Course
During a high-profile visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Athens on 7 December 2023, attention briefly shifted from formal diplomacy at the Maximos Mansion to an unexpected guest appearance by Peanut.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, welcomes the Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before their meeting, as Mitsotakis’ dog is seen between them, at Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Erdogan arrived in Greece on a visit designed to set the historically uneasy neighbors on a more constructive path and help repair strained his country’s strained relationship with the European Union. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
As the two leaders greeted each other at the entrance of the residence, Peanut was photographed in between them , momentarily sharing the spotlight with the official welcome ceremony. His presence added a lighthearted note to an otherwise closely watched diplomatic meeting.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, welcomes the Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before their meeting at Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Erdogan arrived in Greece on a visit designed to set the historically uneasy neighbors on a more constructive path and help repair strained his country’s strained relationship with the European Union. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Peanut Interrupts Greece–Slovakia Press Conference at Maximos Mansion
During a joint press conference at the Maximos Mansion in September 2021, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger were briefly interrupted by Peanut.
While Mitsotakis was speaking about Greece’s support for its Balkan neighbors’ path toward European Union membership, loud barking from nearby cut through the proceedings. The Prime Minister paused, smiling, as he explained to Heger that the noise was coming from Peanut, the recently adopted dog who was “often quite lively.”
Heger responded with laughter, as Mitsotakis added that it was the first time Peanut had ever “intervened” during a press conference. He noted that the dog usually behaves more politely, typically greeting visitors at the door rather than interrupting official remarks.
But, I mean who blames him, Peanut had something to say. (Skip to 5:49 to hear Peanut interrupting the press conference.)
Some Honorable Mentions
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pets Peanut, prior to a meeting with PM Mitsotakis on November 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Finland’s Former Prime Minister Sanna Marin pats Peanut as she arrives at Maximos Mansion, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
