Greece’s neutrality in the Ukraine war would be a national strategic mistake
«Greece is a pillar of stability in the wider region, a strong member of the EU and NATO and a country that under the Mitsotakis government invests heavily in diplomacy and defense. United, as Greeks, we can face any threat“, Stressed the Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the National Dialogue for the Conference on the Future of Europe, Miltiadis Barvitsiotisin a big event with the theme “The War in Ukraine: Critical Times for Europe“, Which took place tonight in St. Petersburg. The event, which was attended by distinguished scientists and experts in the field of international relations and defense analysis, was a great success, as its close monitoring around the world, especially from the area of Western Athens, but also a representative of local government. The Deputy Foreign Minister once again condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stressing that it is contrary to the principles of territorial integrityof the sovereignty and independence of each state, principles that have governed Greek foreign policy for decades.
Now in St. Petersburg at the big event on “The War in Ukraine: Critical Times for Europe” we are talking with Assoc. @confilisProfessor Irini Cheila & Rear Admiral V. Martzouko.
Coordinated by the public @CostasPap.
Western Athens gives a dynamic presence! pic.twitter.com/eiW9dxSRMr– Βαρβιτσιώτης Μιλτιάδης (@MVarvitsiotis) March 31, 2022
«Russia infiltrates European security and attacks deeper Western values“, write down.
He added, however, that in the face of this crisis, Europe was beginning to “wake up” and find its new role on the world map as a Union of politics, security and defense with enhanced strategic autonomy.
For its part, Greece could not be absent at this critical moment nor play the role of the expert neutral, because that was, according to Mr. Varvitsiotis, “national strategic error». Not only because over time all Greek governments have called for Europe to have a unified political defense and security, but also because it continues to be on the right side of history.
«Greece was, is and will be with the liberal democratic forces of the West“, he said, adding that with this stance, Greece also asks Europe to guarantee the inviolability of its borders and to condemn anyone who plots another’s national sovereignty, Turkey systematically does, making explicit reference to the Cyprus issue.
On European sanctions, the Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that it was Europe’s immediate and decisive response to the Russian revisionism and that Turkey needs to join the Western sanctions system, like all members of NATO and the EU, if we are to have a substantial impact on the Russian economy and there is no “window” in their implementation. «Of course, our attitude is not directed against the Russian people and does not affect the historical, cultural and religious ties of our peoples.He clarified.
Regarding the major issue of energy, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that Greece is trying to achieve its independence from Russian gas, with a special emphasis on the collective bargaining of Europe but also on the diversification of sources through investments in LNG terminals, electrical connections, pipelines and development of the deposits of the Southeastern Mediterranean. «Thus, we attach strategic importance to our relationship with Egypt, Israel and especially Cyprus“, He stated.
Finally, the Deputy Foreign Minister warned of the risk of a food crisis in Middle East and Africawhich lurks after the Russian invasion and can further fuel the already existing refugee flow, “the largest in Europe since World War IIAs he described it.
In his presentation, IGA Director and Associate Professor of the American College of Greece Konstantinos Filis called the admission an illegal act and referred to the reasons why Russia chose to attack Ukraine at that time as well as the winners and losers of the invasion so far. «If Russia prevails, it will prevail in a war it has already lost morally and will curse financially.“, He stated.
Rear Admiral e.a. PN, Honorary Commander of the School of Naval Trials and Vice President of the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies, Vassilios Martzoukos, pointed out in his speech that Putin’s policy is a policy of spheres of influence and satellite states. «Putin acts, thinks and acts like Erdogan, which is why Greece must stand against him. Turkey, despite its temporary upgrade, will be forced to take sides because the post-war world in Ukraine will be skeptical of revisers“, He stressed.
For her part, Professor of International Relations at the University of Piraeus and Visiting Scholar at George Washington University Irene Cheila focused on the message of sanctions against Russia, which is nothing more than that any invasion and occupation can create a complete. He described the sanctions as a means of maintaining international order, of rules that Russia had tried to “rewrite” by challenging the institution of sovereignty in accordance with its strategic priorities.
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