A. Tsipras: Russia is not an allied power – Greece has allies, it is a member of NATO

LAST UPDATE: 02.11

By Niki Zorba

The condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine by him and SYRIZA was made even clearer by Alexis Tsipras in the entire (dramatic) political interview video he gave (Ant1) and with repeated reports that the country is not allowed to maintain a neutral attitude towards in the bloodshed caused by Vladimir Putin.

He did not shy away from taking even greater distances from Russia, stating emphatically that “Russia is not an allied power, Greece has its allies, it is a member of NATO”, taking the baton from where it left it the other day. in the debate in Parliament on the Ukrainian, where he sought to refute allegations of “pro-Putinism”.

“Russia has never claimed to be an ally of Greece. Greece has its allies, it is a member of NATO, but Greece has the potential to be a bridge of dialogue. Traditionally, Greece is in dialogue with Russia. At this time, I do not ask to be neutral, but to stop the superficialities “, said the president of SYRIZA, referring to the prime minister and the choice to send military equipment to Ukraine, without being a request-decision of the EU or NATO.

Although he did not deny that the country’s allies are the European Union and NATO, he called on the prime minister to turn the country into an “advanced outpost of the West” and insisted that the country not abandon its traditional dialogue with Russia next day.

As far as Turkey is concerned, speaking about the attitude of the “smart neutral” that it has chosen strategically, he assessed that the developments in Ukraine are upgrading its role in the region:

“It’s more predictable in the eyes of the Western allies and it is trying to take advantage of it,” he said. “Greece and Turkey in particular need to have an open channel of communication. “Konstantinos Karamanlis and Andreas Papandreou did the same. If we enter into a logic of escalation of the confrontation and an arms race without limits, it is certain that there will be no solution.”

He called for the revision of the Stability Pact in relation to the Economy and the continuation for 2023 of the escape clause. However, he harshly criticized the Government and the Prime Minister for precision and energy crisis management, noting that if households and businesses are not supported, then there will be a social crisis and an explosion: “We are already on the verge of collapse,” he said.

He also blamed the government for the energy crisis, which he did not provoke but magnified, as he noted, with its choices “such as gas mooring and violent de-ligation”.

Mr. Tsipras reiterated that SYRIZA expects to be the first party in the elections to pave the way for a progressive government. “Obviously we have learned lessons from our government in 2015.”

Sampling Mr. Tsipras’s answers, he said, among other things, about:

Russian invasion

What we are seeing is a bloodbath through the fault of the Russian president. We woke up in a bipolar world with a fierce Cold War with horrific consequences. For Europe it is an extremely unfavorable development and geopolitically.

War is a shock. Vertically opposed to this war through the fault of the Russian president. But this is not the first time. We also experienced the invasion of Cyprus. We hoped that we would not experience them again in the heart of Europe.

I think that what our country needs is to have a clear position, neutrality means to be on the side of the attacker, but it is a big mistake and negligence of the Prime Minister that he rushed to send military equipment. The country must not become part of the war.

Greece has the right and obligation to defend sanctions, to support Ukraine’s European integration, to send humanitarian aid. We have every reason to oppose the Russian invasion but no reason to be part of the engagement.

I have never claimed that Russia is an ally of Greece. Greece has its allies, it is a member of NATO, but Greece has the potential to be a bridge of dialogue. Greece is traditionally in dialogue with Russia. At this time I do not ask to be neutral but to stop the trivialities.

The next day will be painful for the European economy.

Of the wars there are only losers. The losers will be two peoples who until now lived in brotherhood and peace.

Erdogan – Turkey

I’m extremely concerned about the Turkish president’s revisionist logic. I believe that Turkey is upgrading its role in the region after the developments. It is more predictable in the eyes of Western allies and is trying to exploit it.

Zelensky praised Erdogan. The attitude of the clever neutral gives points to the Turkish president.

Greece and Turkey, especially at this time, must have an open channel of communication. And I’m not just asking for it now. The same was done by prime ministers at critical moments in history. Konstantinos Karamanlis and Andreas Papandreou did the same. If we enter into a logic of escalation of the confrontation and an arms race without limits, there will certainly be no solution.

As long as we waste time with Turkey, the correlations will be to our detriment.

Equipment

We voted in favor of the 18 rafts and the frigates. We voted against the extra supplies. A country that has gone through great adventures must strengthen its deterrent power but reasonably. Without creating conditions for fiscal diversion.

For us, the goal is to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The medium is not just equipment. It is also diplomacy and economic self-sufficiency and energy self-sufficiency.

K. Mitsotaki- Government

It is an unprecedented expression of Prime Minister Bonapartism to say that he is not interested in the debate and he is not interested in the councils of political leaders.

It would be interesting instead of playing table tennis with video to give a joint interview with Mr. Mitsotakis.

It follows Papagou’s strategy: That we are an advanced outpost of the West. To give everything without benefit. As Mr. Mitsotakis is doing now with the bases and the indefinite renewal of the agreement.

If the strengthening of households and businesses is not a priority then I am very afraid that we will have a social crisis and an explosion. We are already in a borderline situation.

The Government’s responsibilities in the energy crisis are frightening because of its choices, such as gas mooring and violent de-ligation.

He says he will go to the polls at the end of four years, but I do not think he will be able to stand it. What is important for the country is for the people to believe that they have alternatives.

Prespa Agreement

Imagine if we had not done this Agreement what would happen on our northern borders. We would have both Russia and Turkey. We would be Libya on our northern border.

NATO

It is the right of peoples to decide whether they want to join NATO or not. Beyond that, there is hypocrisy in the West. Did the West now remember that Ukraine needed protection?

The White House spokeswoman made it clear in all tones that there would be no US or NATO military involvement as this would lead to a third world war which would also be nuclear. Wise decision.

“We belong to the West”

In the White House I met with Trump, I was prime minister, not a left-wing leader. I had an obligation to defend our national interest and our national line. I even went six months later after I had broken the western embargo and visited Cuba.

I did not say we belong to both the West and the East. I said that we are both West and East. We are bigger as a country than its geographical position.

P. Kammeno

The reason he was out of government was our disagreement with Prespa. However, a while ago, Mr. Mitsotakis tried to make our Minister of Defense Minister and “ate a door”. The next time he wants to, let him call me to tell him my opinion.

SYRIZA

It will not be judged by a misunderstood, misplaced wording as Euclid Tsakalotos himself has said. It has its route and course.

We are attempting a democratic revolution in SYRIZA. It does not want its members applauders but participants in decisions. In order to join a government we will ask the opinion of our members. It happens in many European parties.

SYRIZA is one of the largest parties of the center-left in Europe.