Maria Zakharova attacks Greece

The agreement to strengthen defence cooperation in the maritime sector — with an emphasis on the use of and training in unmanned surface vessels, as well as improved information-sharing on maritime threats — was the development that triggered the latest clash between Athens and Moscow. Diplomatic relations between the two sides are already at rock bottom, especially after Greece’s continuous and tangible support for Kyiv. Yesterday’s incident was yet another episode in their already strained relationship.

Russia appears irritated by Greece’s intention to proceed jointly with Ukraine in the development and production of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova placed Athens on the list of states that rushed immediately after the Russian invasion to supply Kyiv with defence equipment. According to the newspaper Kathimerini, the USV co-production agreement concerns both the Ukrainian and Greek Armed Forces, and if implemented, will establish a production line in Greek shipyards capable of developing such systems. Part of the output will be absorbed by Ukraine’s armed forces and part by Greece’s own forces.

The Greek companies involved will produce electronic and optical systems, sensors, and—if required—the explosive payload. If work on the maritime drone progresses successfully, Athens has already discussed with Kyiv expanding cooperation into unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Moreover, the Kremlin is also targeting Athens because of the agreement to supply Ukraine with American natural gas via Alexandroupolis and through activation of the Vertical Corridor. Russia has been repeatedly striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure to increase pressure on the Ukrainian population ahead of winter.

Zakharova’s statements and Athens’ response

“Greece is pursuing a provocative, confrontational policy toward Russia and is engaging in openly hostile actions,” Maria Zakharova said in a press briefing, warning that Russia will issue an appropriate response to Greece.

“Athens was among the first countries to send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, which the Ukrainian armed forces use daily against civilians in Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Crimea and other southern regions of our country. And all this despite the fact that Greeks have lived in these regions since time immemorial.”

“Another confirmation of this was the so-called agreements with the Nazi regime in Kyiv on 17 November, including those concerning the development and use of unmanned maritime vessels,” she added.

“This step, like many other collectively anti-Russian actions by the Western world aimed at defeating Russia on the battlefield, has been duly assessed by us and will be followed by the appropriate reaction,” she concluded.

Athens responded immediately to Moscow regarding the Greece-Ukraine co-production agreement for maritime drones.

Diplomatic sources stated: “In its international relations, Greece always acts on the basis of adherence to international law and respect for states. It is the self-evident right of every state to conclude intergovernmental agreements — especially when such agreements, like the one between Greece and Ukraine, guarantee energy sufficiency and security, which are prerequisites for human well-being. Threats against sovereign states are dismissed out of hand.”