The German press for the replacement of weapons that Greece will send to Ukraine

“We will deploy German armor” in Greece, was the announcement of Chancellor Olaf Soltz from the Summit in Brussels, after the meeting he had with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. As noted by Spiegel OnlineHe said that he had talked with the Greek Prime Minister about an agreement based on the already existing arms exchange agreement with the Czech Republic. Similar talks are expected with Poland. Regarding the planned exchange of weapons systems with Greece, the aim is to support “The German government has stated its intention to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine, but has been criticized by both Ukraine and the opposition for its reluctance.”

The website tagesschau.de of the first program of the German public television adds: “The chancellor has not yet given clear details, but said that something similar to the planned exchange of weapons systems with the Czech Republic is planned. The Greek armed forces have Soviet armored personnel carriers. “So they could receive German Marder armor instead.”

In the case of the Czech Republic, the delivery of 15 German Leopard-2 armored vehicles was agreed with Germany, “the Czech Republic provided to Ukraine as compensation for heavy armaments from Soviet stocks”. The Czech media reported on Soviet T-72 armored vehicles but also on BMP-1 armored vehicles as well as Dana-type howitzers. “The Greek army also has Soviet BMP-1 armor. And the Greek government has repeatedly pushed for more support from NATO allies,” the report said.

On the same subject and Zeit Online “According to information from the Ukrainian army, Russia uses this type of armor (BMP-1) built in the 60s.”

Greek-Turkish: “Frost in the summer”

Another post in today South Zeitung for the new escalation in Greek-Turkish relations. “Hopes for a summer in the eastern Mediterranean with fewer conflicts than in previous years were dashed last week when Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that ‘there is no one named Mitsotakis for him.’ He meant the Greek prime minister of the neighboring which he wanted to meet soon in a joint meeting to discuss the issues that divide the two countries: in particular the precise demarcation of the maritime borders in the Aegean and the claims for rich natural gas reserves at the bottom. “Even more acute, at a time when Europe is making efforts to break free from Russian gas and Greece wants to strengthen its position as a hub for energy supply throughout SE Europe.”

The report also refers to the recent visit of the Greek Prime Minister to Washington and the presentation to the Congress of the Greek positions against the Turkish aggression, even asking the USA not to satisfy the request of Turkey for the F -16. Among other things, the report notes: “Athens is preparing for a summer of conflict. The Ministry of Defense speculates that there could be ‘hybrid’ threats from Turkey aimed at the ‘internal destabilization’ of Greece: on the one hand in the Aegean islands, on the other land border along the river Evros (…) According to the Greek interpretation, Erdogan’s maneuvers lead him to a dilemma, which has to do with insisting on the veto of Sweden and Finland joining NATO. “A scenario would be that Erdogan succumbs to his denial under international pressure – and so another goal is needed to defend the image of the nationally proud hardcore in front of the electorate.”

The article refers to the latest statements of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu, who reiterated the questioning of Greek territorial sovereignty and Greece’s letter to the UN. In closing, he notes that “for the time being, in addition to the conflict with Turkey, Greece also has to deal with growing problems with Iran.” A reference to the case of the occupation of Greek tankers by the Guards of the Revolution in retaliation. “Tehran accuses Athens of acting on ‘third party orders’. Greece in turn calls Iranian action ‘piracy’.”

Dimitra Kyranoudi

Source: Deutsche Welle