The Statesmanship of Mitsotakis

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis continues performing well in his duties as an international statesman. The Prime Minister hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Greece. The two agreed that Greek membership in NATO and the European Union would not be an obstacle to Greek-Russian relations.

Foreign Minister Lavrov affirmed Russian support for Greece’s right under international law to extend its territory in the Aegean Sea to twelve nautical miles. Russia is coming down firmly on Greece’s side against Turkey. This is welcome as Greece is also gaining the support of the United States. In addition, Turkish President Erdogan has mocked the Trump administration by daring Washington to impose sanctions on Turkey.

Greece faces a challenge in attempting to win over both Washington and Moscow. Washington seeks to impose sanctions on Turkey because it purchased an s-400 defensive system from Russia. It is true that America is very staunchly anti Russian at this point.

However, American and Russian interests may conceivably merge with regard to Turkey. For centuries, Great Britain and France loathed the Russians and their foreign policies were directed againt the Russian Empire. Despite this traditional hostility both London and Paris made common cause with Russia during the First World War against Germany.

During the Second World War, London and Washington made common cause with Stalin against Hitler’s Germany. It is not inconceivable that Washington and Moscow could come to see Turkey as a common threat. For this reason, it is better for Donald Trump to be reelected President than for Joe Biden to be elected President.

The Russians and the Turks are on opposite sides in Libya as they were in Syria. Turkey is sponsoring Syrian jihadists in Azerbaijan and Libya, the same elements that fought Russia and the Asaad government in Syria. There can be no question that over the long term Russian and Turkish interests are completely incompatible.

The Trump administration’s friendly attitude to Russia is welcome on the grounds that in the event of a Russian-Turkish conflict (as nearly occurred in 2015), Washington will stay out of it. Joe Biden and the Democrats have become so anti Russian that they will not be able to be responsible in the event of a Russian and Turkish clash in the future. Greek interests necessitate depriving Turkey of both American and Russian support.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis is doing very well in defending Greek national interests. He is keeping all options open by maintaining friendly ties to both Washington and Moscow. The Erdogan government in Turkey is bound at some point to trigger a confrontation with with either one or both of these countries.

With some serious diplomatic activity, Greece can win the support of both America and Russia. The fact that American and Russian diplomatic officials have been visiting Athens lately demonstrates that Greece is rising as an important regional player. The opportunities are endless.