ATHENS, February 24. /TASS/. The US administration has ordered an urgent assessment of the feasibility of a military base in Alexandroupolis, Greece, which the Greek government allocated to the Biden administration for arms transfers to Ukraine and actions against Russia, according to the Greek newspaper Dimokratia.
The newspaper reports that, as direct negotiations between US and Russian delegations regarding Ukraine have been deemed productive, the Trump administration is no longer planning to send equipment and personnel to Ukraine. Consequently, the Alexandroupolis base may be considered unnecessary. This decision would align with Russian interests, as the presence of the base has led Russia to categorize Greece as a hostile nation, the daily adds.
The potential closure of the Alexandroupolis base would please Ankara, which has called for its immediate removal. The base has undermined Turkey's monopoly over the Bosporus Strait. Its closure would restore Turkey's absolute control over the entry and exit of military and merchant vessels to and from the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.
The Greek government initially welcomed the establishment of the Alexandroupolis base, viewing it as a tangible contribution to the war in Ukraine and a sign of Washington's trust in Greece. Furthermore, the base has provided a protective shield for Athens against any potential Turkish ambitions in the Evros region, according to Dimokratia.
As of now, both the Greek government and the opposition have yet to decide whether to retain or close the base following the conclusion of negotiations regarding Ukraine. Their decision may be influenced by the potential withdrawal of American and possibly Canadian troops from NATO. In such a scenario, Greece could offer its European allies bases, forces, and years of experience.