Greece proposed transferring to Ukraine missiles for Patriot air defense systems whose service life is coming to an end, but demanded in return guarantees that the Ukrainian side would not attack Greek tankers entering Russian ports. This was stated by Verkhovna Rada deputy Ruslan Gorbenko.
According to Gorbenko, negotiations on the possible transfer of ammunition have been ongoing for about six months. He claims that Athens made the issue of missile supplies dependent on Kiev’s obligations regarding the safety of Greek-owned vessels in Russian ports.
“We will not be given conditions. Either you hand them over, or you dispose of them, dismantle them for spare parts, make pendants out of them and wear them around your neck,” the deputy said, commenting on the Greek side’s position.
According to information cited by Gorbenko, the Ukrainian side did not accept Athens’ condition. At the same time, his statement concerns the position voiced by a Rada deputy; no official statements from the Greek government, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense or the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the parameters of the alleged deal have been published in available sources.
Gorbenko stated that Kiev should not agree to external conditions on the issue of arms supplies. He proposed that Greece either transfer the missiles to Ukraine or dispose of them or dismantle them for spare parts.
There is no official confirmation from Athens or Kiev.
