Zelensky is preparing for a visit to Greece: Athens is again at the center of Ukrainian diplomacy

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky plans to visit Greece in November. This was reported by the press secretary of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lana Zohiu in a comment to the TV channel Skai.

According to Zohiu, the visit is at the preparation stage: “The trip is tentatively planned for November, but the date and program are still being finalized.”

Zelensky’s second visit to Athens

It will be Zelensky’s second visit to Greece over the past two years. In August 2023, he already came to Athenswhere he participated in a meeting with the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and leaders of the countries of the Balkan region.

Then the parties agreed that Greece will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters within the framework of a pan-European program. In addition, Kyiv expressed hope for Athens’ support in strengthening air defense systems in the Black Sea zone.

Military cooperation and supplies

Since the first visit, relations between the countries have noticeably strengthened. Athens discussed with Washington opportunity sales of 75 thousand artillery shells from the reserves of the Greek army to replenish the Ukrainian arsenals.

In addition, there was talk that Greece intends to transfer several missiles to Ukraine RIM-7 Sea Sparrowused in systems FrankenSAMadapted to protect airspace.

Earlier it became known that the Greek government suspended funding for service programs Soviet air defense systems, considering their possible transfer to Kyiv. However, a statement was later released that this would not happen.

Context: Mitsotakis’s visit to Ukraine

Last March, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis he himself visited Ukraine and held negotiations with Zelensky in Odessa. The visit was a symbol of political support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Zelensky’s upcoming trip to Athens is intended to consolidate this course – to deepening strategic partnership between Ukraine and Greece, as well as strengthen the position of Kyiv in the southern European direction.

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