Athens is alarmed: what is behind Moscow’s phrase “get what you deserve”

Anxiety intensifies in Athens after statements official representative Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharovawhich, addressing not the government, but directly to Greecestated: “You will get what you deserve”.

The signal was given in the context of Athens’ actions regarding Russia after the start of the war in Ukraine, and its tone caused serious concern.

According to Greek analysts, relations with the planet’s largest nuclear power should never have reached this point. Russia remains a permanent member UN Security Councilstrategic ally China and one of the few actors capable of influencing global processes. Athens is well aware that such a status makes turning Moscow into an enemy undesirable.

The history between the two countries already knows examples when wrong steps led to dire consequences. During Eleftherios Venizelos in 1919 the Greek army participated in operations against Soviet Russia in Bessarabia and Crimea. This adventure was not forgotten by the Bolsheviks, and subsequently Moscow supported Kemal Ataturk in the Asia Minor campaign, providing weapons, money and political support. Some historical sources even claim that the salaries of officers of the Kemalist army were paid with Soviet funds.

The Greeks later rejected the Soviet offer of mediation, further deteriorating relations. There is a versionthat without support Russia Turkish victory in Asia Minor would be extremely unlikely. Lessons from that period, as experts note, they didn’t do it in Athens.

Today tensions are again reaching dangerous levels. Yesterday Maria Zakharova stated: “Athens was among the first to send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, which are used daily against civilians in Donbass, Zaporozhye, Kherson, Crimea and other southern regions of our country, where Greeks have lived for centuries.”. She also called the November 17 agreement on the joint development and use of maritime drones “an additional confirmation” of the anti-Russian line.

The final part of the statement sounded even harsher: “These actions, like other anti-Russian steps of the collective West, aimed at defeating Russia on the battlefield, have received our assessment, and an appropriate response will follow.”.

Athens’ answer was formally firm: “Greece acts on the basis of international law and respect for the sovereignty of states. Each state has the right to conclude interstate agreements. Threats against sovereign countries are automatically rejected.”. However, against the backdrop of the soft language that usually accompanies statements on Turkeythis rigidity seems selective.

Greek analysts emphasize: in the event of a future crisis with Ankara — especially a few months after the end of the Ukrainian campaign — Russia is unlikely to make any attempt to contain Turkey. On the contrary, Moscow may prefer to remain neutral, given its own interests in the region and Ankara’s role in the Black Sea and in compliance Montreux Convention.

Against the backdrop of cooling relations with Moscow and the growing dependence of the West on Turkey, it becomes obvious that there is no point in counting on protection from European capitals. United Kingdom, France And Germany ready to provide Ankara with the weapons necessary to restore the balance of power over Aegean Sea.

Special attention is paid Cypruswhich Moscow is considering in one package with Greece. At the same time, the Kremlin’s attitude towards Lefkosia is even harsher: the economic rise of the island is largely connected with Russian capital, and the current policy of Lefkosia is perceived as ingratitude.

In Athens they wonder why was the statement addressed to Russia so loudwhereas responses to Turkish provocations come down to “leaks” in the press. Analysts note: with Moscow, the Greek leadership believes that it has the support of its allies, while in the case of Turkey, it is fear of a possible reaction from Ankara.

Against this background, tensions remain high, and forecasts for the near future raise concerns: the region may enter a new phase of instability, where Greece will find itself without reliable guarantees of protection.

Source link