The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is awaiting the official report on the maritime drone found in Lefkada from the General Staff of National Defense. The recent discovery of the unmanned surface vessel (USV) off Lefkada has put diplomacy in a state of heightened readiness.
Drone in Lefkada: Interventions by Gerapetritis and Dendias
The incident is being evaluated as particularly serious, with Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis already conveying the country’s concerns to European partners at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. We should also recall that Mr. Gerapetritis conveyed the gravity of the incident to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha during their recent communication. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, speaking at a conference organized by the Circle of Ideas, said regarding the issue: “Obviously, it was something extremely dangerous. Also, the Ukrainian side – and there is not the slightest doubt that this is a Ukrainian sea drone, we know what type it is, where it was manufactured, etc. – owes us a very big apology. And beyond the apology, they owe us absolute assurance that such a thing will not happen again in the wider region.”
Why Athens avoids official protests before final evidence
Nevertheless, the Greek government is avoiding proceeding with official diplomatic protests or final accusations before receiving the official report from the General Staff of National Defense (GEETHA). As the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochios argued on Wednesday, “with the arrival of the official report from GEETHA to the Foreign Ministry, we will proceed with the necessary actions and official diplomatic protests both bilaterally and internationally.”
Alternative scenarios for the drone’s identity – What well-informed sources say
The issue continues to cause intense concern for the security of Greek waters. While two ministers publicly stated it was a Ukrainian drone, different scenarios are being formulated regarding the identity of the unmanned maritime vehicle. Well-informed sources who spoke to parapolitika.gr do not rule out that the warship found in Lefkada may not originate from Ukraine, but could be a copy of Ukrainian technology. “It must be proven that it is Ukrainian,” argue other sources who know that several countries have copied Ukrainian USVs. As they say, there are many scattered throughout the Mediterranean. There are certainly some in Turkey, Albania, and Italy.”
European reservations and fear of undermining support for Ukraine
The diplomatic backstage is further complicated by the stance of certain European partners who expressed the view that there is no reason for further escalation of the issue, fearing that such a move could undermine European support for Ukraine. Despite pressures and speculation, Greece’s position remains steadfast. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochios reiterated the position expressed by both Giorgos Gerapetritis and Nikos Dendias, that the spread of war in the Mediterranean will not be allowed. As she said, “Greece will not allow the spread of war in the Mediterranean. It will take all necessary measures to ensure that the Mediterranean does not become a theater of military operations and that this incident will not be repeated.”
Next moves of Greek diplomacy after the report
Ensuring that the region does not become a theater of military operations is the absolute priority for Greek diplomacy. The next moves focus on both bilateral and international levels and will be determined exclusively by the explanations that the country of origin of the naval warship will be called upon to provide, once the technical characteristics and identity of the drone are officially confirmed by the Armed Forces. Until then, this issue remains a “question” with an unclear seal, reminding of the fragile balances that the country is called to manage in the shadow of ongoing conflicts in the wider region.
