General P.Christou: Greece will not fight with Russia, despite the Prime Minister’s statements

Lieutenant General Pavlos Christou and Ioannis Kotsailidis, President of the Greek-Russian Friendship Movement, answered questions from Athens News.

Lieutenant General Pavlos Christou, Secretary General of the Greek-Russian Association, President of the Hellenic Association of Friends of Crimea, Vice President of the EMPROS (Forward) organization. Strategic analyst, writer.

Greece’s leaders recently said the country was in a state of economic and conventional war with Russia. The first to say this was Dora Bakoyannis, then Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the last (for now) Kostas Skrekos. How adequate are these statements, and what can they bring for relations between countries? Can Russia consider Greece a participant in the conflict for the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Pavlos to Christ: Greece is not at war with Turkey. These views are dangerous for Greek interests. These are personal views at the behest of the European Union, NATO and America. No political body in Greece has made such a decision. Russia, it seems to me, does not consider Greece an enemy country.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: Unfortunately, the government is at odds with the history and will of the Greek people. It gave all the arguments Russia needs to consider Greece as its enemy. But we believe that this will not benefit both peoples. The general attitude towards the Ukrainian question on the part of this government does not reflect the opinion of the majority of the Greek people. This is in keeping with neither the historical ties between the two countries, nor the recent development of cultural and trade relations, which culminated in 2021, declared the Year of Greek Writing in Russia.

Does the appearance of a large number of US military bases on the territory of Greece give it protection from Turkey or are all these weapons directed at Russia? Does this mean that Greece has now become one of the priority targets of Russian nuclear missiles?

Pavlos to Christ: Foreign bases in any state serve the interests of the country that creates them. US bases in Greece serve US interests in the wider region. Russia is not going to use nuclear weapons. And in any case, Greece is not the target of Russian nuclear and conventional systems.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: Greece is a country with debts. Mr. Mitsotakis allowed the establishment of new bases without any conditions and without a single US commitment to our territorial integrity. The Greek people do not forget Putin’s recent statement: anyone who creates problems in Serbia is a direct shot at Russia. The American side did not say anything of the kind.

Ioannis Kotsailidis, President of the Greek-Russian Friendship Movement

In the event of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia, will the Greek army, as it was in 1918-1919, fight and occupy Russia?

Pavlos to Christ: There is no possibility of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia. Greek forces are prohibited from operating outside of Greece for NATO reasons etc.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: No Greek wants to think of such a scenario.

It is known that Greek shipping companies are engaged in the transportation of Russian gas, coal and oil products. The country’s leadership is trying to limit them, but does not prohibit them. If they are banned, how will this affect the Greek economy?

Pavlos to Christ: The entire crisis affected the global economy and the Greek economy. If in any way to stop the flow of gas, the problem will increase.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: Unfortunately for Greece, shipowners have their own laws. The Greek economy does not lose or gain from their work.

How does the war (sanctions) against Russia affect the life of the Greek population?

Pavlos to Christ: The conflict has affected all societies. The sanctions imposed on Russia were a strategic mistake. People are suffering.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: Greeks and Greek businesses have only suffered from sanctions against Russia. They are especially detrimental to agricultural products.

Alexis Tsipras recently stated: “We gave Alexandroupolis and six bases to the US indefinitely and without any guarantees. When you come to such an agreement without reciprocity, obligations or guarantees, you will find yourself in the same difficult situation as we are today. What is your opinion on this matter?

Pavlos to Christ: This is wrong hphenomenon. We must not give up bases for any reason. National sovereignty is not for sale or exchange.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: The unconditional surrender of Greek sovereignty is a direct blow to Hellenism, and in the future the Greeks must fight to regain their national sovereignty. In these efforts, they certainly need the support of other allied countries. We, as a movement, will make every possible effort in this direction.

Greek generals said that sending BMP1s from the islands and replacing them with TOMAs – the American M1113 and the German Marder – would worsen the defenses of Greece and give Turkey a reason to talk about the militarization of the islands. Greece could refuse this decision or not? Why did the Mitsotakis government agree to this decision?

Pavlos to Christ: Sending military equipment and systems to Ukraine is a wrong decision. The presence of military forces on the Greek islands is legal. What Turkey says does not stand up to scrutiny of international law. The Turkish threat is a given and must be dealt with dynamically. Turkey is a revisionist power in the region and deserves a voice of strength and restraint. Turkish planning will fail. The Greek armed forces will deal a crushing blow to Turkey if necessary.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: The Greek side may ask to be released from this decision, referring to the danger from the East. But the Mitsotakis government chose to follow America’s orders.

Many political scientists and analysts from Greece and other countries believe that the constant skirmish with Turkey, both from Erdogan and from Mitsotakis, are elements of the election campaign. Is it a lie, is it true, or is it a partial truth?

Pavlos to Christ: The Turkish threat is real. Turkey does not act threateningly for the purposes of the election campaign. This is a misguided strategy that leads Turkey to a dead end.

Ioannis Kotsalidis: The threat from Turkey towards Greece is significant and long-term. She is trying to feel the pulse of the US reaction, and if she finds that she does not cover the territorial integrity of Greece, she will start a war, as she did with Cyprus. Of course, the serious problems inside Turkey and the long election period in Turkey are adding to Erdogan’s hate speech.

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