Greek opposition slams gov’t for being left out of critical Ukraine summit at Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) stands next to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R) and European Council President Antonio Costa (L) after an informal summit of European leaders to discuss the situation in Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Feb. 17, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The Greek opposition has accused the government of being sidelined in major geopolitical decisions after Greece was not invited to the Ukraine security summit in Paris.
The government, however, dismissed these claims, insisting the country was not excluded.
Greek opposition parties, particularly the leftist SYRIZA, criticized the absence of Greece at the Paris summit, arguing that it signals diplomatic weakness under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
SYRIZA leader Socratis Famellos called it a foreign policy failure, stating that Greece is being marginalized on key international issues.
The opposition also accused the government of a lack of transparency regarding its military aid to Ukraine, claiming it weakens Greece’s diplomatic leverage.
Government denies allegations
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis denied the allegations, emphasizing that the summit was informal and focused on Europe’s largest economies and top military aid donors to Ukraine.
Marinakis insisted Greece remains engaged in international efforts to support Ukraine but was not among the primary military contributors that were invited.
Who attended Paris Summit?
The informal security meeting, hosted at the Élysée Palace, brought together:
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
- Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
Additionally, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte participated.
