FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Greece will participate in an international force in Ukraine only if three conditions are met: a ceasefire agreement, no deployment on Russian soil, and a clear exit strategy if hostilities resume.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will reaffirm these conditions at the Paris security summit on Thursday, where the leaders of the "coalition of the willing" are discussing security guarantees for Ukraine.
Athens has made it clear that any Greek involvement will only come after a formal ceasefire. Furthermore, Greek troops will not operate in Russia and in the event of a ceasefire violation by Moscow, the forces will be withdrawn immediately.
While some European countries have considered deploying troops under an EU mission, opposition from Russia and some member states such as Hungary has ruled this out. Greece favors an operation under UN supervision, believing it would provide broader international legitimacy.
If the mission continues, Greece's role remains uncertain. Options include a deployment on Ukrainian territory or naval participation in the Black Sea. The latter is more in line with Greek defense priorities. However, it is unclear how feasible this is, especially if Turkey's proposal to take command of the sea patrol force is accepted.
Well-informed sources have told Kathimerini that Turkey has invoked the provisions of the Montreux Convention on the Regime of the Straits, which allow full access to the Black Sea only to coastal states (with time restrictions for others). It has proposed taking command of the naval force in cooperation with Bulgaria and Romania.
Athens is treading carefully, balancing its commitment to Ukraine with national security interests. Unlike NATO, the deployment in Ukraine does not provide collective security protection for foreign troops, raising concerns about potential casualties in contested regions. The location of the deployment will be crucial, as the risks differ significantly between eastern Ukraine and areas such as Kiev, Lviv or Odessa. Greece is already contributing to the planning phase of the mission, ensuring a voice in future decisions.
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