The situation in Eastern Europe, and especially around Ukraine, as well as the eastern Mediterranean, will be on the table during Friday's talks between Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
As the Greek Foreign Minister visits the Russia for the third time in only two years, the two countries will consider, in addition to bilateral cooperation, Moscow's claim for security guarantees.
In particular, the Kremlin has requested separate responses from the EU Member States, in addition to the Union's unified response, regarding the security proposals submitted by Moscow.
What Greece must answer
Dendias has the political limelight for the answers he gave to the provocations of the Turkish ambassador in Oslo, reminding many of the diplomatic embarrassment he has leveled against Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
READ MORE: Turkey should enter the 21st Century says Greek FM; shuts down Turkish Ambassador (VIDEO)
Diplomatic sources and analysts point out that no surprises are expected and that Greece will remain faithful to its commitments and role in NATO and the Western geopolitical architecture.
The view that Greece should be different in terms of NATO expansion in Europe, was expressed by honourary ambassador and experienced diplomat, Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos.
"Greece should acknowledge Russia's just complaint that the West deceived it when in 1990 it promised non-further NATO expansion if Moscow agreed to German reunification," the diplomat said.
"Our country should oppose the adoption of sanctions against Russia both within NATO and the EU," he added.
The countries of the "resistance"
According to Chrysanthopoulos, there are some countries that could form a "bow" against sanctions on Russia.
These could be Germany, France, Hungary and Cyprus, for a different reason each of which is found in the separate and special relationship that they have with Moscow.
Less than two years have passed since French President Macron claimed that NATO is "brain dead", while the Germans have a special energy relationship with Moscow.
At the same time, Hungary has a special relationship with Moscow in the economic sector, while Cyprus "bets" on Moscow for a viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
According to Chrysanthopoulos, Greece could "propose a moratorium on Ukraine's membership in NATO to be considered after 30 years."
He added that Greece could bring back to the fore the question of sanctions against Turkey that have been on papers for 2.5 years as Ankara continues to practice threats of the sovereign rights of the EU, in contrast to Russia.
READ MORE: Greek Foreign Minister taught Turkish diplomacy a harsh lesson during joint statement.
This post was last modified on February 18, 2022 5:31 pm