Greek foreign minister: Europe should lead security guarantees for Ukraine

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital the importance of Europe taking the lead on Ukraine’s security guarantees. Gerapetritis, who was in the U.S. to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighted the immediate need to “stop the hostilities” in Ukraine before moving on to discussions about reconstruction and security guarantees.

As neighbors to Ukraine, Gerapetritis stressed that Europe must take responsibility for ensuring the country’s security, while also acknowledging the importance of U.S. involvement. He expressed Greece’s commitment to increasing defense spending to 3% of GDP, surpassing NATO’s target of 2%, and urged other allies to do the same in order to strengthen collective defense in Europe.

However, Greece’s role in enabling Russia’s oil trade through Greek-owned oil tankers has raised concerns. The Kyiv School of Economics identified 126 vessels with Greek owners that make up Russia’s “shadow fleet,” used to export oil and evade western sanctions. Gerapetritis assured that Greece is working with the EU to address this issue by imposing national sanctions and implementing strict monitoring mechanisms to prevent bypasses.

Amid tensions between the U.S. and Europe, Gerapetritis emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong transatlantic alliance to address multiple crises together. He highlighted Greece’s partnership with India to counter China’s influence, particularly through a new corridor that runs through Greece to reach European markets.

In discussions with Rubio, Gerapetritis also addressed concerns about Syria and Iran. He expressed skepticism about the new Syrian government, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, and advocated for a gradual easing of sanctions with the ability to reinstate them if needed. Regarding Iran, Gerapetritis highlighted the threat posed by Iranian proxies in the region, particularly the Houthis in the Red Sea, and emphasized the importance of global maritime security.

Overall, Gerapetritis underscored the need for collaboration between Europe and the U.S. to address security challenges in Ukraine, Syria, Iran, and beyond. By working together, he believes that the transatlantic alliance can leverage its collective strength to tackle the complex issues facing the international community.