Greece will participate in an international force in Ukraine only under three conditions: a ceasefire agreement, no deployment on Russian soil, and a clear exit strategy if hostilities resume.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to reaffirm these conditions at a security summit in Paris on Thursday, where leaders of the “coalition of the willing” will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Athens has made clear that any Greek involvement will only come after a formal ceasefire. Additionally, Greek troops will not operate in Russia, and in the event of a ceasefire violation by Moscow, forces will withdraw immediately.
While some European nations had considered deploying troops under an EU mission, opposition from Russia and some member-states like Hungary has ruled this out. Greece favors an operation under UN oversight, believing it would provide broader international legitimacy.
If the mission proceeds, Greece’s role remains uncertain. Options include land deployment in Ukraine or naval participation in the Black Sea. The latter aligns better with Greek defense priorities. However, it is unclear how feasible that is, especially if Turkey’s proposal to take command of the force patrolling the sea is accepted.
Well-informed sources have told Kathimerini that Turkey has invoked the provisions of the Montreux Convention regarding the Regime of the Straits, which allow full access to the Black Sea only for coastal states (with time restrictions for others). It has proposed taking command of the naval force in cooperation with Bulgaria and Romania.
Athens is treading carefully, balancing its commitment to Ukraine with national security interests. Unlike NATO, deployment in Ukraine offers no collective security protections for foreign troops, raising concerns over potential casualties in contested regions. The location of deployment will be crucial, as risks differ significantly between eastern Ukraine and areas like Kyiv, Lviv or Odesa.
Greece is already contributing to the mission’s planning phase, ensuring a voice in future decisions.
Via eKathimerini