Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has sharply criticized Greece, accusing the country of anti-Russian actions and alignment with European Union policies amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The statements were released via the Russian Embassy in Athens in response to comments attributed to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis suggesting Greece is “at war with Russia.”
Lavrov argued that Greece’s decision to halt cooperation with Russia, which had been built over decades, has dismantled a broad range of bilateral ties, spanning politics, economics, culture, and humanitarian work. “Nearly four years after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Athens continues to issue aggressive anti-Russian statements and baseless accusations,” he said.
The Russian minister specifically condemned Greece for participating in agreements with Kyiv on November 17, 2025, including the deployment and use of maritime unmanned vehicles, describing these actions as subject to “due assessment” by Moscow. He also criticized Athens for joining the EU-led PURL initiative, purchasing U.S. arms for the Ukrainian armed forces—a step Greece had previously hesitated to take. Lavrov argued that these moves pressure Greece to transfer high-performance Russian and Soviet-made air defense systems, currently in Greek service, to Ukraine.
Lavrov’s statement emphasized that these actions ignore the large Greek diaspora in southern Ukraine, which has longstanding ties to Greece, potentially exposing them to “colossal risks” and threats to their safety.
“Right Side of History”
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis has responded firmly to recent criticisms from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, asserting that Greece stands on “the right side of history.”
In reply, Marinakis emphasized Greece’s role as an equal member of the European Union. “Greece aligns with Europe and the correct side of history in all our decisions,” he said, stressing that every government action follows this principle.
