Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Zelensky share a moment during their meeting, where Greece reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security
Credit : Shutterstock, Alexandros Michailidis
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, 22 February, restating Greece’s and the European Union’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
During the conversation, Mitsotakis emphasised that any peace deal must be acceptable to Ukraine and that nothing should be decided on Ukraine’s future without its direct involvement. He also confirmed his participation in a world leaders’ teleconference—organised by Kyiv—on Monday, 24 February, marking three years since Russia’s invasion began.
US pressures Zelensky: Resources at stake in parallel peace talks
While Zelensky seeks backing from European leaders, reports suggest that US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been negotiating a potential end to the conflict without fully involving either Ukraine or the EU. Zelensky has reportedly resisted pressure from the United States to sign a draft deal giving American interests access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and other natural resources. A source close to the talks has indicated that the proposed agreement is ‘not the one President Zelensky would accept.’ In return, Ukraine is pushing for robust security guarantees—an issue that remains unresolved.
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Greece’s diplomatic balancing act: Navigating EU & US interests
Mitsotakis has long insisted that Ukraine’s voice must be heard in any peace settlement. Speaking to Bloomberg on 20 February, he maintained that Europe must do what is necessary for its own security while acknowledging that the United States also has a significant role. Greece, historically aligned with both the US and the EU since the end of the Second World War, now faces a delicate balancing act.
“I believe Europe should set its own defence priorities,” Mitsotakis remarked, adding that increased spending and a possible European missile shield are areas for serious consideration.
He also pointed out that US criticism over Europe’s lower defence expenditure was justified, suggesting greater budgetary flexibility for military funding could be discussed at the next European summit in March.
As Greece navigates these competing interests, Mitsotakis’s latest call with Zelensky underlines the Greek government’s stance: a firm commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, alongside a careful effort to maintain strong ties with both Washington and Brussels.
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