Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation across various sectors, including the economy, trade, energy, and civil society.
The 45-minute meeting marked the first between the two officials and came amid heightened tensions following a heated debate in the Oval Office, where President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance clashed publicly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On Ukraine, Gerapetritis reiterated Europe’s commitment to supporting Kyiv. “Regardless of today’s public confrontation, Europe has an obligation to strengthen its defense infrastructure, but U.S. support remains essential,” he said.
Turning to the Middle East, he underscored the need for a solution that ensures both Israel’s security and a viable future for Palestinians, stressing that long-term regional peace depends on such an approach.
Gerapetritis also highlighted the role of the Greek diaspora in the United States, calling it a vital link between the two nations.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department described Greece as a “valued NATO ally and critical to regional stability.” It said Rubio reaffirmed the strategic importance of U.S.-Greece ties and welcomed Greece’s presence on the United Nations Security Council for its 2025-2026 term.
“They discussed the importance of confronting illegal migration, Greece’s strong commitment to defense spending, and its leadership in regional energy projects,” the statement added.
Following the meeting, Rubio wrote on social media platform X: “We discussed what we can accomplish together as partners, NATO allies, and during Greece’s term at the UNSC. We also explored Greece’s security and energy leadership in the Eastern Mediterranean and prospects for future cooperation.”
