Greece has issued a stern rebuttal to Russian warnings over a new defense-technology pact with Ukraine, asserting its sovereign right to form alliances without foreign interference.
Diplomatic officials in Athens responded to sharp accusations from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who warned earlier this week that Moscow would "respond appropriately" to the deal.
Mrs. Zakharova criticized the Nov. 17 agreement, which reportedly includes cooperation on the production and use of maritime drones, as evidence of a "confrontational policy." During a briefing in Moscow, she claimed Greek weapons previously supplied to Kyiv were used against civilians in Russian-occupied territories—including Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea—where she noted ethnic Greeks have lived "since time immemorial."
Mrs. Zakharova further characterized the Ukrainian government as a "Nazi regime" and argued the new agreement proves Athens has aligned with Western efforts to "defeat Russia on the battlefield."
Greek officials dismissed the threats, emphasizing that Athens acts strictly within international law.
"Threats against sovereign states are categorically rejected," diplomatic sources said. They noted that it is the "self-evident right of every country to conclude interstate agreements" and argued the deal strengthens Greece's energy security and regional stability.
The diplomatic clash marks a new low in relations between the two nations, which have deteriorated significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Athens maintains diplomatic channels with Moscow, the government has firmly supported EU sanctions and provided military aid to Kyiv, aligning itself closely with NATO partners in the Eastern Mediterranean.