Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Athens on Sunday for talks focused on energy security and military aid, Greek officials said.
The visit comes as Greece rapidly expands its role as a central entry point for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) bound for Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Mr. Zelensky’s trip follows a high-profile energy summit in Athens this week, which produced a landmark deal for the Atlantic-See LNG Trade partnership (AKTOR–DEPA) to import U.S. LNG. The agreement is essential for the "Vertical Corridor," a route to supply gas from Greek terminals in Alexandroupoli and Revithoussa north through Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and ultimately Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle has repeatedly emphasized that the project is a top American priority.
The timing is critical for Kyiv, which faces a gas import shortfall this winter, estimated at 30%, due to Russia’s ongoing attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Mr. Zelensky’s visit also revives speculation about potential requests for additional military support. Media reports suggest Kyiv may again seek air-defense systems or Greece’s 24 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, which Athens plans to retire.
The visit follows that of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Ms. Kallas praised Greece as “a strong supporter of Ukraine diplomatically, militarily and economically.” Discussions are also expected to cover post-war reconstruction, ahead of the ReBuild Ukraine conference in Warsaw next week.