ATHENS, Greece – Russia on Thursday accused Greece of pursuing a “provocative, confrontational course” against the Russian Federation and warned of an “appropriate response” after Greece and Ukraine announced an agreement to jointly produce advanced naval drones. The hostile statement, delivered by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, came in reaction to major announcements made during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Athens earlier this week.
Joint Naval Drone Production Sparks Russian Outcry
The deal specifically concerns the co-production and deployment of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), or naval drones, with a production line expected to be established in a Greek shipyard, such as the Skaramagas Shipyards. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow, which views it as an escalation of anti-Russian actions.
Russia’s Accusation Against Greece
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argued that the joint drone production deal was part of a larger pattern of “openly unfriendly steps” and “anti-Russian actions by the collective Western world aimed at defeating Russia on the battlefield.” She cited two key points to justify Moscow’s anger, stating that Athens was “among the first to send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.” Zakharova asserted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using these weapons daily against civilians in Russian-claimed regions such as Donbass, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea.
Zakharova specifically noted that this military cooperation occurs even though Greeks have lived in these regions since time immemorial, framing Greece’s support for Ukraine as a betrayal of shared history and cultural ties. This narrative aims to underscore the perceived hypocrisy of Greece’s actions from Moscow’s perspective.
Greece Rejects Threats, Cites Strategic Benefits
For Greece, the cooperation offers significant strategic benefits, including access to drone technology that has already been battle-tested against the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This collaboration is seen as a way to achieve technological acceleration and close a defense capabilities gap with Turkey, which has been actively developing its own USV fleet. The agreement is therefore not merely an act of solidarity with Ukraine but also a pragmatic move to enhance Greece’s national security and defense capabilities.
Greece’s Foreign Ministry quickly responded to Zakharova’s threats later the same day, firmly rejecting Moscow’s intimidation. “Greece always acts in its international relations with a commitment to international law and respect for other states,” diplomatic sources stated. Greek officials maintained that every sovereign state has the right to conclude interstate agreements, particularly when those agreements, such as the one with Ukraine, “guarantee energy sufficiency and security.” The statement concluded with an unambiguous rejection of the Russian warning: “Threats against sovereign states are automatically rejected.” This firm stance highlights Greece’s determination to uphold its sovereign rights despite external pressures.
Implications for Regional Dynamics
The joint naval drone deal and Russia’s subsequent reaction underscore the complex and evolving geopolitical landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Greece’s decision to deepen military cooperation with Ukraine, a nation actively engaged in conflict with Russia, signals a clear alignment with Western allies and a commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities. This move is likely to further strain relations between Athens and Moscow, which have historically maintained a degree of cultural and religious affinity despite political differences.
The emphasis on naval drones also reflects a broader trend in modern warfare, where unmanned systems are playing an increasingly critical role. By engaging in co-production, Greece aims to not only acquire advanced technology but also to develop its own industrial base in this crucial defense sector. This could have long-term implications for Greece’s defense industry and its position within NATO.
Furthermore, the Greek Foreign Ministry’s assertion that the agreement guarantees
