The Greek government will not transfer S-300, Tor M1 and ΟSA-AK to Ukraine

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis denied information that Greece will transfer to Ukraine two long-range missile system batteries S-300 PMU1 and other Greek air defense systems, purchased directly from Russia.

The statement states that as a system S-300, as well as the Tor-M1 and OSA-AK air defense systems, purchased from Russia (some OSA-AKs were provided by Germany) cannot be supplied/sold as there is a big legal problem and Russia can go to international courts for violating the terms of the “end user certificate”.

At the same time, a statement was received from Moscow in which she called “any decision to transfer S-300 or Tor-M1 or OSA AK (SA-8b) to Ukraine”. Which, of course, reinforces Greece’s decision not to supply these systems to Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/russianathens/status/1754535041122586916

Below is the full statement from government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis:

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say that there should be a limit when it comes to fake news, especially when they talk about defense, about foreign policy and foreign interests, our international image. This (publication) is in no way true. I categorically refute this. And in no case was the intention of the Greek government to jeopardize the defense of the country, its defense policy. Therefore, what is written is invalid in no way and in no sense,” Marinakis said in response to a question whether the Greek government plans to send S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, as some media write.

Of course, there are systems similar to the first batch that can be supplied, and these are the ones that Greece received from Germany after its unification with East Germany, but that is another question…

Russian government sources say that “A decision to transfer the S-300, Tor-M1 or AK OSA (SA-8b) to Ukraine would be a hostile act.” The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in statements published on the X website (formerly Twitter) of the Russian Embassy in Athens, explainswhat exactly is going on, and what’s behind the government drumbeat about getting “free” American equipment.

Statement by the press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry:

“Recently, Washington has intensified its search around the world for remnants of Soviet and Russian weapons for their subsequent transfer to Ukraine… Recently, Greek media reported that the United States is trying to convince Athens to transfer Russian air defense systems and ammunition to Kyiv… They promise Greece, in exchange for outdated combat vehicles, frigates and other weapons, another 200 million dollars, which, according to Greek experts, is not enough to purchase even one Western air defense system.”

💬 Μαρία Ζαχάροβα (1/3):

Τελευταίως η Ουάσιγκτον έχει εντείνει την αναζήτηση σε όλο τον κόσμο των υπολειμμάτων των σοβιετικών και των ρωσικών όπλων για την μετέπειτα μεταφορά τους στην Ουκρανία… pic.twitter.com/UqlGXDWAGq

— Rus Embassy, Greece (@RFEmbassyGr) February 1, 2024

https://twitter.com/RFEmbassyGr/status/1753063270846484577

https://twitter.com/RFEmbassyGr/status/1753063273228820726

What does Moscow mean: The S-300 and Tor-M1 long-range air defense systems, as well as the older AK OSA (SA-8b), were purchased by Greece from Russia, which provided an international, legally required “end-user certificate”. And in the case of the S-300, which was purchased from Cyprus to then be transferred to Greece, this certificate and final approval were given by Russia. Anything else is illegal, and Athens knows it.

Can Greece transfer some Russian-made or developed systems to Ukraine? Yes, as she said first batch. But these were Soviet-made systems (BMP-1anti-tank RPG-18, light weapons, ammunition, etc.) received by the Greek army from the former East Germany after the unification of the two Germanys.

That is, formally they were German propertyand their transfer to Ukraine was carried out with permission from Berlin.

Is it possible to transfer other weapons to Ukraine without Russia raising questions about legality? Yes, the twin towed a/o ZU-23-2, which Greece also received from Germany, in the amount of 500 units and which turned out to be extremely accurate and valuable, and in support missions, the remaining BMP-1 (there are about 60 units left, and for of this, the US is transferring 60 M2 Bradleys) and especially 115 RM-70 missile launchers, which are a “thorn in the side” of Turkey in the Aegean islands and would be an extremely valuable help for Zelensky, as well as for the Greek government, which is trying… with all its might forces to disarm the Aegean Sea.

In other words, Greece is clearly not going to send the S-300, Tor-M1 and AK OSA missile systems, but 500 ZU-23-2, as well as the remaining 60 BMP-1, can be sent to Ukraine and, accordingly, will removed from the islands of the Aegean Sea.

Will the USA and Ukraine be happy? Yes, especially in the case of the RM-70. Czech RM-70 (Czech version of the Soviet BM-21 missile launchers) are equipped, like their Soviet counterpart, with 122 mm rockets. And as Zelensky said in a telephone conversation with Mitsotakis: “We need you to reinforce us with artillery.” And Russia will not be able to appeal to the International Court of Justice regarding these types of weapons due to “illegal re-export of weapons, that is, without his permission.”

In addition, let’s not forget about the statement of the permanent representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Crimea, Georgy Muradov, regarding the S-300PMU1, which he made some time ago: “Such a move on the part of Athens would be a reckless display of hostility towards Russia, as well as a risky step to the detriment of its own national interests.”

It’s better not to even think about what this could mean… In the above quotes there is not even a study and analysis of the element of depriving the country of defense power, especially with the concession of RM-70, which the Mitsotakis government does not seem to be at all interested in…

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