Vice President Kamala Harris and Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the ratification of the US-Greece defense deal and the crisis in Ukraine during their meeting in Munich on Saturday.
According to Greek government sources, Mitsotakis informed Harris of his intention to bring to a vote in Parliament in the coming weeks the amendment of the Greece-US Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA).
They also considered the prospects for closer cooperation in the field of defense.
US-Greece defense deal signed in October
The MDCA was signed last October at a ceremony at the Department of State, hosted by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken who described Greece as a reliable ally and pillar of stability.
The Prime Minister briefed the Vice President on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and stressed the risk of destabilization due to the escalation of the Turkish provocation.
Harris and Mitsotakis discussed developments in Ukraine
Harris and Mitsotakis also discussed the crisis in Ukraine. A little earlier, the US Vice President met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the readout:
“The vice president underscored the US commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They discussed the united transatlantic approach if Russia further invades Ukraine, and the vice president outlined the swift and severe economic measures that have been prepared alongside our allies and partners. The vice president and President Zelenskyy agreed on the importance of diplomacy and de-escalation.”
If Russia were to invade Ukraine, “we will impose far-reaching financial sanctions and export controls,” Harris said in remarks in Germany.
“We will target Russia’s financial institutions and key industries. And we will target those who are complicit and those who aid and abet this unprovoked invasion.”
Mitsotakis said earlier in the week that Greece will support Ukraine’s territorial integrity if Russia invades.
He added that he hopes for open lines of communication with Russia, but would support Ukraine if necessary.
“We reconfirmed our absolute unity, our support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and our determination to act in a coordinated manner and in consultation with our Euro-Atlantic allies, in the event of an invasion by Russia on Ukraine,” Mitsotakis told the press after a meeting of the European council.
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