Zelensky's six hour visit to Athens - Great things up front, unknown what was discussed behind closed doors

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis once again expressed Greece’s full support for Ukraine — something also conveyed by Mr. Kostas Tasoulas and Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis, with whom the Ukrainian leader also met.

The two leaders discussed extensively the energy cooperation between their countries.

The prime minister highlighted Greece’s role in European and regional energy security and in Ukraine’s energy shielding, a role which has been upgraded after the recent agreements signed in Athens for supplying and transporting American LNG through the Vertical Corridor, as well as by today’s agreement signed between DEPA and Naftogaz.

The 7-Point Joint Statement

The prime minister and the President of Ukraine made the following joint declaration:

“On 16 November 2025, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid an official visit to Greece.

The visit highlighted the strong and long-standing partnership between Greece and Ukraine, rooted in centuries-long historical ties between the peoples of the two countries as well as in shared values of democracy, human rights, respect for sovereignty, the international legal order and international law, and the common belief that borders cannot be changed by force.

Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to addressing the armed Russian aggression and other ongoing challenges to regional stability and territorial integrity — including territorial waters — and to developing bilateral relations in security, defense, the economy, the protection of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance.

The parties agreed on the following:

1. The parties underline the urgent need for a full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward initiating a genuine peace process that will ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

2. The parties emphasize the importance of providing Ukraine with reliable and strong security guarantees — which will effectively deter any renewed armed attack — through strengthening Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Greece confirms its commitment to support Ukraine in its irreversible path toward full Euro-Atlantic integration, including its future EU membership. In this context, the parties will enhance cooperation in the defense industry, including joint projects.

3. The parties stress the importance of energy security and gas supply and agreed to strengthen cooperation on diversifying energy sources, developing renewable energy, and restoring Ukraine’s energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks. Greece expressed its readiness to contribute expertise and resources to enhancing Ukraine’s energy resilience.

4. The parties agreed to deepen defense cooperation with a focus on maritime security, including cooperation on the development and use of unmanned maritime aerial vehicles (UAVs), joint exercises and training related to unmanned sea systems, and enhanced intelligence sharing on maritime threats.

5. Both sides recognized the importance of cybersecurity and agreed to develop joint initiatives to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and counter cyber-attacks and hybrid threats targeting both nations.

6. The parties expressed their joint commitment to supporting international efforts to ensure the return of Ukrainian children who have been illegally abducted by the Russian Federation, and to holding those responsible accountable under international law.

7. The parties stressed the need to maintain multi-level pressure on the Russian Federation until it fully withdraws from Ukrainian territory, complies with international law, and is held accountable for its violations; they agreed to coordinate sanctions policy where appropriate to enhance its effectiveness.**

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his deep respect for the resilience of the Ukrainian people and his appreciation for the partnership between Greece and Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Greece for their consistent support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and for their continued humanitarian, political and defense assistance.”

The Mitsotakis–Zelenskyy Meeting

During their joint statements, Mitsotakis expressed his abhorrence at the intensification of Russian attacks targeting non-military infrastructure and causing civilian casualties. He stressed that Greece from the first moment stood by Ukraine against the Russian invasion, aligning with the defender of a bloody operation violating every notion of sovereignty and legality. He noted that Greece’s support is a principled stance rooted in respect for the UN Charter, international law, and the belief that the use of armed force for aggressive purposes cannot be tolerated.

The PM emphasized that for Greece the inviolability of borders is non-negotiable, explaining that any illegal fait accompli will always find Athens on the opposing side. He reminded that this is particularly sensitive for Greece, as the “wound of Cyprus” remains open 51 years after the invasion.

He noted that Greece supports an unconditional cessation of violence and at the same time seeks justice for Ukraine’s struggle for a just peace, while strengthening — within its capabilities — the brave resistance of the Ukrainian people in all international forums, including the UN Security Council, the EU, and the OSCE.

Addressing Zelenskyy, Mitsotakis assured him that Ukraine has a steadfast ally in Athens, recalling that Greece fully implements EU sanctions against Moscow despite the economic cost and supports Ukraine’s European path, a complex process in which Greece is ready to assist further.

He referenced the new critical aspect of bilateral relations — energy cooperation — focused on the Vertical Energy Corridor and the Alexandroupolis–Odesa axis, which offer Ukraine access to diversified and reliable energy sources and make Greece a supply hub for Central and Eastern Europe with American LNG.

Mitsotakis described the agreements signed as pivotal for regional energy stability and emphasized that Greece becomes a provider of energy security for Ukraine. He added that these developments decisively contribute to Europe’s detachment from Russian gas, with Alexandroupolis serving as a “key point” for both allied and humanitarian aid.

He noted that additional ways of supporting Ukraine and strengthening bilateral cooperation were discussed, including Greece’s participation in postwar reconstruction with Greek companies possessing the expertise to contribute to rebuilding infrastructure, digitizing healthcare, and protecting cultural monuments — making special mention of Greece’s historic ties with Odesa.

He praised the resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people, fighting for almost four years for their freedom, and affirmed that Greece will remain firmly at Ukraine’s side.

Zelenskyy’s Statements

Zelenskyy thanked Greece for supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence. He called the talks on gas supply “very important,” stressing that Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure is daily targeted by Russian and North Korean missiles and drones. He said gas supplies begin in January and that rapid agreements with American companies are under way, thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for helping make the plan possible through Greece.

He informed Mitsotakis about the situation at the front and diplomatic efforts to end the war, noting that continued pressure on Russia is essential. He thanked Greece for supporting EU sanctions and humanitarian assistance, particularly in repatriating abducted children and prisoners of war.

He expressed willingness to provide the full list of prisoners and asked for Greece’s help in repatriating them. He also thanked Greece for supporting Ukraine’s European path and said the two countries can also cooperate in the defense industry.

Regarding the energy agreements, Zelenskyy stressed: “It is very important that the plan is implemented in the first quarter.” He added: “We have agreed on additional gas supplies as well. There are agreements, as Mr. Mitsotakis said, and we thank the American companies and the U.S. president.”

The Energy Agreement

Before the Zelenskyy–Mitsotakis meeting, a declaration of intent was signed between DEPA Commercial and Naftogaz for the supply of American LNG to Ukraine from December 2025 to March 2026. The agreement is described as a crucial contribution to regional and European energy security and resilience, supporting Ukraine during a difficult winter.

Government sources stress that Greece’s critical energy infrastructure ensures stable gas flows along the Vertical Corridor. The signing took place in the presence of Mitsotakis, Zelenskyy, and U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Meeting with Tasoulas — What was said behind closed doors

Earlier, Zelensky met with Greek President Kostas Tasoulas. According to sources, Tasoulas told Zelenskyy:
“I express not only the solidarity of the Greek people but also my personal admiration, as normal life in your country was overturned, your own life changed, yet you and your people have resisted exemplarily for almost four years.”

Zelenskyy replied:
“Thank you, Mr. President. I never imagined I would face such an event, but it was my duty to rise to the occasion, as all Ukrainian citizens have done under difficult conditions.”

In the private meeting, other noteworthy remarks were made. At one point, Tasoulas told Zelensky that Turkey helps Russia circumvent European and American sanctions, citing examples.

Zelenskyy’s Meeting with Kaklamanis

After the energy agreement for transporting American LNG from Greece to Ukraine and his meeting with Mitsotakis, Zelensky went to Parliament, where he met with Nikitas Kaklamanis.

Kaklamanis said:
“Greece stands against anyone who violates the rules of international law.”

He noted that if the international community had responded differently to Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, its stance toward Ukraine’s case would also have been different.

He stressed that the Greek Parliament, across the vast majority of political parties, supported Ukraine from the first moment of Russia’s invasion, due to Greece’s faith in international law and because Greeks themselves suffered a similar fate in Cyprus 50 years ago.

Zelenskyy thanked him and added:
“Today a new path opens — a path of security, of energy security — and I thank the Hellenic Republic… We will never forget Greece’s support from the first day of the invasion.”

He praised Greece for helping refugees, supporting Ukraine in all international platforms, and participating in future reconstruction efforts.