Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Greece today, Greek media reported.
In Athens, Zelensky is expected to meet with Greek President Konstantinos Tassoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis.
As political observer Yannis Kandelis commented to Sky TV, energy and the vertical gas corridor are expected to be high on the agenda of the Ukrainian president's visit.
According to Kandelis, “the vertical corridor, i.e. The transport of natural gas from the port of Alexandroupolis to Ukraine (…) is a key object for which there were developments last week with the agreements that were signed (in Athens) (…) and with the transfer of American liquefied natural gas through this gas pipeline. Of course, at each of his meetings, Mr. Zelensky also raises the issue of Ukraine's military strengthening, but, as the (Greek) government has stated many times, it cannot give Ukraine defense systems when they serve the defense (of Greece)“, the journalist said.
Zelensky himself set the tone for his visit to Athens by stating that “we are preparing an agreement with Greece in the field of energy in order to maximize the options for natural gas supplies to Ukraine both for this winter and strategically, in the long term. Agreements with various European countries, from Norway to Greece, will provide guarantees for natural gas supplies to our country. Thank you to all the partners who are helping“.
The Ukrainian president's previous visit to Greece was in August 2023.
Following his visit to Greece on Sunday, Zelensky will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in Paris.