Expert: relations between Athens and Moscow have collapsed, but Russophile attitudes are still present

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After the Russian attack on Ukraine, relations between Russia and Greece, which traditionally had a friendly disposition towards it, collapsed, yet Russophile attitudes are still present among the Greek far-right and leftists, said Greek expert Prof. Panagiota Manoli.

Since the end of the Cold War, Athens has tried to balance between the European Union and NATO and a “special partnership” with Russia. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Greece aligned its response with its EU and Alliance allies. Greek-Russian relations, including trade, collapsed, and Russia classified Greece as part of the so-called unfriendly countries – recalled Manoli from the University of Peloponnese and expert for the ELIAMEP think tank.

However, the year 2022 became a turning point for pro-Russian attitudes in traditionally Russia-friendly Greece – she assessed.

Manoli pointed out that the tension in diplomatic relations between the two countries, however, had increased earlier in 2018 when Greece expelled two Russian diplomats, accusing them of activities against national security.

Public opinion surveys indicate that most Greeks condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and support aiding Kyiv, but on some issues Greeks differ from societies of other EU countries.

Shortly after the invasion, a Politico poll showed that 60% of Greeks considered Russian aggression unacceptable. Greeks are also among the societies least supporting sanctions on Russia: in a Eurobarometer survey from May 2022, only 53% of Greeks supported these restrictions (the EU average is 80%). Two years into the war, the percentage of support for sanctions in Greece dropped to 38% (compared to 58% in the EU).

The expert also noted that the Greek society approaches Russia and the USA with almost as much suspicion, while at the same time, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, pro-European sentiments among Greeks have risen.

Public opinion surveys indicate that Russophile attitudes are still present in the country. According to Manoli, even after the annexation of Crimea, Greece was “the most Russophile country in Europe.”

As she explained, Russophile attitudes can mainly be observed among far-right supporters who refer to the shared Orthodox faith and cultural ties of both countries. Among leftists, pro-Russian sentiments arise from nostalgia for the Soviet Union.

Above all, however, the Greek far-right emphasizes the economic benefits for the Greek economy from closer cooperation with Russia. “Economic arguments resonate with a society that experienced a 10-year, difficult financial crisis” – Manoli emphasized.

Athens supports Kyiv diplomatically, humanely, and militarily; the countries have signed a security cooperation agreement.

Manoli, however, pointed out that the Greek public is increasingly less willing to provide military aid to Ukraine. Eurobarometer surveys from March 2024 indicate that 61% of EU citizens support continuing and strengthening support for Kyiv, while in Greece, this percentage is 46%. It is the fourth lowest result.

The expert also highlighted that Russia unsuccessfully tries to instrumentalize the Church in Greece. Moscow mainly focuses on northern Greece and the monasteries on Mount Athos, attempting to expand its influence there by funding some monasteries. As she added, tensions have long existed in relations between the Church in Greece and the Russian Church.

PAP also asked the expert about the fate of the Greek minority in Ukraine. Before the invasion began, the number of people of Greek descent in the Mariupol region was estimated at 100,000. Under current conditions, it is impossible to estimate what part of this group is under Russian occupation or outside Ukraine’s borders.

By the end of 2023, Greece has taken in over 23,000 Ukrainian refugees, but this number does not solely include Ukrainian Greeks. Citing the interests of the Greek community of Mariupol, the government in Athens wants to establish an international tribunal to examine the aggression against Ukraine. (28.12.2024)