Trump’s Move to Close U.S. Base in Greece Sparks Debate on NATO’s Future

The Trump administration has reportedly ordered the closure of the U.S. military base in Alexandroupoli, Greece, a key logistical hub for U.S. and NATO operations in southeastern Europe, according to Turkïye Today on February 24.

The decision, if confirmed, marks a shift in U.S. military strategy in the region and has raised concerns among Greek officials.

The Greek government made the base available to the Biden administration for transferring troops and weaponry to support Ukraine. Its presence has also been a point of tension with Turkey, which has long opposed U.S. military activity in the area.

The U.S. base in the region was a longstanding point of tension between Washington and Ankara, though U.S. officials at the time repeatedly assured Türkiye that its military presence was not directed against the country.

In 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the scale of U.S. military installations in Greece, stating, “Greece, as a whole, has turned into a U.S. military base.”

Russia had identified the port as a strategic target from the outset of its war against Ukraine, classifying Greece among countries hostile to Moscow.

Greek officials see the shutdown as a setback for their country, which has deepened military cooperation with the U.S. in recent years.

However, the Trump administration has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, and it remains unclear whether the decision is permanent or part of a broader restructuring of U.S. military assets in Europe.

Earlier, at the “Ukraine. Year 2025” forum on February 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that as long as Ukraine remains outside NATO, its 800,000-strong army will require external financial support.