Closed discussion on “Contemporary Russia and Greek–Russian Relations”

The first meeting of the Observatory of Geopolitics and Diplomacy of ELIAMEP was held on Tuesday, March 10. The Observatory aims at fostering constructive dialogue among academics, analysts, government officials, and journalists on key issues of international relations and foreign policy, bridging academic research with public debate.

The meeting focused on the presentation of the book “Contemporary Russia and Greek–Russian Relations,” edited by Panagiota Manoli, Professor at the University of the Peloponnese and Senior Research Fellow at ELIAMEP. The discussion primarily addressed developments in Russia, the impact of the war in Ukraine, and the implications for Greece and European security.

A significant part of the discussion was devoted to the profound shift in relations between Russia and the West following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It was emphasized that this relationship has now evolved into a broader strategic confrontation, with Russia viewing most European states as hostile. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of Greece’s active participation in the debate on the future of Europe–Russia relations. Greece, which in the past maintained some room for balance in its relations with Moscow, has now aligned with EU and NATO partners’ choices. As a result, the prospects for maintaining a more balanced relationship with Russia have been significantly reduced, while the future of Greek–Russian relations will largely depend on the course of the war in Ukraine and the overall trajectory of relations between Russia and Western countries.