Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says European leaders have yet to receive a formal briefing on reported US–Russia talks over a potential Ukraine peace plan, warning that several elements appear “quite problematic,” especially any proposal requiring Kyiv to surrender territory.
Speaking at the New Economy Forum in Singapore with Bloomberg’s John Micklethwait, Mitsotakis stressed that no agreement can bypass Ukraine or exclude Europe from future security discussions. His comments reflect mounting concern in European capitals that Washington could negotiate directly with Moscow, leaving Europe on the sidelines and pressuring President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accept an unfavorable settlement.
The reported 28-point proposal would see Ukraine cede Russian-held territory, limit its future military strength, and gradually lift sanctions on Moscow. While Zelenskiy has said he is reviewing the plan, he has shown little willingness to accept its core conditions.
Balancing US–China Pressures
Mitsotakis also addressed speculation about US pressure concerning China’s role in Greece’s key port infrastructure. He said Athens aims to maintain a balanced relationship with both Washington and Beijing.
“We can absolutely work with the Americans,” he said, noting that Greece has already demonstrated it can pursue win-win agreements without undermining legally established Chinese investments.
China’s Cosco Shipping acquired a 67% stake in the Piraeus Port Authority in 2016, during the peak of Greece’s debt crisis, as part of creditor-driven privatization commitments. “Deals done by previous governments need to be respected,” Mitsotakis stated.
Economy: Southern Europe Surges Ahead
Turning to the economy, Mitsotakis expressed confidence in Greece’s outlook, saying the country’s recovery mirrors a broader trend of southern European economies outperforming their northern counterparts.
“Greece has staged a remarkable comeback,” he said. “We have proven that the Greek crisis belongs to the past.”
Greece has returned to investment-grade status across all major ratings agencies and continues to deliver budget surpluses, driven by strict fiscal discipline. Mitsotakis noted that southern Europe—Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal—is currently outperforming traditional heavyweights like Germany and France.
He added, however, that Europe’s economic interdependence means Greece’s success remains linked to the performance of larger economies: “If Germany and France don’t do well, this will inevitably impact the Greek economy.”
Source: Bloomberg News
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