Key Takeaways From Zelenskyy and Mitsotakis’ Joint Press Conference in Athens

During a joint press conference in Athens on November 16, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined a series of new agreements on energy cooperation, humanitarian issues, and future industrial partnerships between the two countries, according to Suspilne.

New gas route will start deliveries in January

Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and Greece have agreed to open a new route for natural gas imports beginning in January.

The corridor will run from the Greek port of Alexandroupolis to Odesa. He said the initiative is part of a winter energy package aimed at securing stable supplies despite continued Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“Our agreements with Greece today are an important part of a large energy package to ensure gas supplies for Ukraine,” he stated.

Greece becomes a hub for US LNG heading to Europe

Mitsotakis described the Alexandroupolis–Odesa route as a secure south–north energy artery. “This is a new safe energy artery that runs from the south to the north, from Greece to Ukraine,” he said, adding that Greece will serve as a hub for US liquefied natural gas destined for Central and Eastern Europe. According to the prime minister, this will provide Ukraine with access to “reliable sources of energy.”

Cooperation on returning illegally deported children and prisoners

Zelenskyy called for Greece’s assistance in helping return Ukrainian children and prisoners taken by Russia. “We are ready to provide all the lists,” he said, emphasizing that Kyiv is prepared to share all necessary information to support these efforts.

Invitation to join Ukraine’s defense production

The president noted that Ukraine has developed several new defense technologies and invited Greek companies to participate in joint arms production. He said such cooperation would contribute to strengthening Europe’s overall defense capabilities.

Greece signals interest in post-war reconstruction

Mitsotakis highlighted that Greek companies have significant experience in construction, digitalization, and related sectors.

He pointed out that Athens places particular attention on Odesa due to the city’s long-standing historical ties with Greece and is interested in contributing to Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Long-term energy cooperation planned beyond the winter

The arrangement includes short-term gas deliveries in early 2026 and longer-term agreements aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s energy security.

Zelenskyy thanked partners — including the United States and European financial institutions — for supporting the financing structure behind the project.

Ukraine continues to look for alternative energy routes as Russian strikes disrupt domestic gas production. Zelenskyy said the ability to receive US LNG via Greece will help compensate for those losses and stabilize the energy system during the winter.

Earlier, Naftogaz announced that it had secured at least 300 million cubic meters of US LNG through an agreement with Poland’s ORLEN and American partners, according to a statement by Naftogaz chief Sergiy Koretskyi on November 7. The deal includes a credit facility enabling post-payment and was coordinated during recent P-TEC discussions.

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