The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has publicly criticized outgoing American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The Russian Foreign Ministry has accurately assessed the dominating role of Washington in Greek internal affairs. The Russian Spokeswoman pointed out that Washington demands that Greece and Cyprus not cooperate with Russia.
Furthermore, the Russian spokeswoman referred to the crisis in the Orthodox Church in Ukraine that was precipitated by American officials such as Mike Pompeo. The Russians have a firm grasp of the domineering attitude toward Greece and Cyprus by Washington. On the other hand, there are still issues to be ironed out between Athens and Moscow as well.
Russia has in recent months made many pro Greek statements such as condemning the Turkish opening of the beach of Varosha in the Turkish occupied territories and has endorsed Greece’s right to extend its territory in the Aegean Sea to twelve nautical miles. At the same time Russia maintains a friendly attitude toward Turkey.
Greek-Russian brotherhood based on Orthodoxy is desirable and Athens should pursue a pro Russian foreign policy. However, Athens and Moscow can and should discuss the problem of Turkey. Greece and Cyprus are in a struggle for survival. Turkey is a jihadist state that represents a menace to all, including Russia.
Greek-Russian relations have the potential to flourish. But at the same time Greece faces a threat from Turkey. As such, Athens needs to also maintain friendly ties with Washington as well. Ties with Washington are complicated by the latter’s dominating influence over Greece.
Greece has come far under Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his aggressive defense against Turkish aggression is admirable. Now the Greek government needs to also assert its sovereignty against its alleged “allies” in the west. Athens must pursue an independent foreign policy based on Hellenic interests above all.
There is a good deal that unites Greece with Russia. Russian-Turkish ties have been strained by Ankara’s support for international jihadism (mainly Syrian) and it is unlikely that these ties will hold indefinitely for a long period of time. Greece needs to negotiate seriously with the Russians on the matter of Turkey.
The Church issue in Ukraine has needlessly complicated Greek relations with Russia. Athens must distance itself from the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and elements within the Church of Greece. It is important for Greece to maintain close ties with Russia for spiritual, historic, cultural, and national reasons.
Being close with Russia does not necessitate closing the door to Washington. Washington is sabotaging itself in Greece by interfering in ecclesiastical matters and seeking to dictate the formation of Greek foreign policy. Ultimately, the direction in Greek foreign policy depends on the national interests of Athens, Washington, and Moscow.
If the incoming Biden administration pursues a rabidly anti Russian foreign policy, Athens should not cooperate with Washington. Greece has one deadly enemy and that is Turkey. If Washington is interested in cooperation against Turkey then Greece can and should cooperate with Washington
The issue of Turkey is the complicating factor in relations between Athens and Moscow. But then again Moscow has expressed support for Cyprus (Varosha) and Greece (twelve nautical miles) as mentioned above. In any case, Greeks must behave with a sense of national honor and as an independent state.
All foreign relations should be based on the principles of Greek national interests and aspirations. Unfortunately, this is hindered by the overbearing policies of the United States and NATO toward Greece. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman is correct in expressing Russian criticism of western policy in Greece.
The groundwork toward Greek-Russian relations should begin but such relations will take off when Russia’s friendship with Turkey ends. In the meantime, Greece must be cautious in its relations with Washington. Washington is more interested for now in going after Moscow than Ankara.
This is intolerable from a Hellenic standpoint.