Greece’s Alexandroupolis base faces uncertain future as US evaluates strategic necessity

The US government has ordered an urgent review of the viability and necessity of continuing operations at its base in the Greek city of Alexandroupolis.

"The US government has ordered an urgent reassessment of the viability and need for the continued functioning of the base in Alexandroupolis, which was allocated by the Greek government to the Biden administration for the transportation of forces and weapon systems to Ukraine against Russia," the statement reads, Caliber.Az reports via News Break.

It is explained that direct negotiations between Russia and the US on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, due to their productive nature, have led the Trump administration to conclude that there is no longer a need to use the Greek base for transferring equipment to Kyiv. As a result, the base may be deemed "unnecessary."

The Greek authorities provided the base to US President Joe Biden for the supply of weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). The base could be deemed unnecessary as the Trump administration views US-Russia talks on Ukraine as positive and productive, the portal writes.

The newspaper notes that this decision will be welcomed by Türkiye, which has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the presence of this hub.

In late January, Greek media reported that Alexandroupolis, a port and base used by NATO for deploying troops and equipment to Eastern Europe, had been involved in a chain of weapons supply to Bulgaria via the Alexandroupolis-Ormenio-Orestiada railway line.

Military equipment was being sent from there for a week, raising concerns and questions among local residents, as no clear explanations had been provided to anyone.

At the same time, the same Greek portals pointed out that military cargo deliveries to Ukraine were still ongoing from the port, continuing since 2022. Trucks from Alexandroupolis had been transporting Bulgarian, Romanian, and Polish ammunition through the Balkans and Poland in December. American weapons systems for Ukraine were also being sent by rail.

Greece has been a NATO member since 1952. The naval base of the Greek Navy at Souda Bay on the island of Crete serves as a support point for NATO naval forces in the Eastern Mediterranean. Military bases are also located on the island of Kastellorizo and near the city of Komotini.

According to Turkish media, NATO is using the Greek port of Alexandroupolis to transfer military equipment, including helicopters, drones, tanks, artillery, and heavy weapons. The port is located on the Aegean Sea coastline in northeastern Greece.

By Tamilla Hasanova