Athens’ official reaction over the previous day’s inflammatory statements by a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman came on Friday, with government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis telling reporters that “…as for Ms. Zakharova, we won’t seek her permission, obviously. We are a sovereign state, and sometimes, certain angry statements by others, who are clearly opposed to the West and Europe, show that perhaps others, namely us, are doing their job well.”

Marinakis, speaking during a regular press briefing, directly responded to Russian official Maria Zakharova’s lengthy statement condemning the prospect of Greece partnering with the Ukraine to produce and deploy unnamed maritime vehicles (UMVs). Ukrainian forces have used such platforms to decimate Russia’s Black Sea fleet, as well as infrastructure, since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Maria Zakharova

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the announcement regarding a possible joint production last Sunday, during the latter’s lighting visit to Athens.

“Our position, the position of the defender, with Ukraine, with Europe, a position that is justified in many ways, may be disturbing. But we are not going to change it, and especially when involving two sovereign states that will continue to do what they believe is right. So, we stand by the foreign ministry’s statement, without being able to say more, and I don’t think we need to say more,” Marinakis added.