In a significant show of support, Greece has been aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, a move that has rattled Moscow and escalated tensions between the two countries. On March 6, Russia fired a missile that exploded just 400 meters from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who were preparing to tour the Ukrainian port of Odesa. This incident, the only occasion when Western leaders faced a credible threat, has raised concerns about their safety.

Analysts in Athens believe that the missile strike was not accidental but a deliberate message to Greece and the pro-Russian section of Greek society. Prior to the full-blown war in Ukraine, about 70 percent of Greeks held a favorable view of Russia. However, that support dwindled to 50 percent following the 2022 invasion and further dropped to 30 percent last year.

Greece's early support for Ukraine, including the supply of rifles, ammunition, grenades, and military equipment, has earned the ire of the Russian government. Greece's decision to send weapons to Ukraine was described by the Russian Embassy in Athens as "deeply mistaken" and "criminal," with warnings that these weapons could be turned against civilians, including the ethnic Greek Ukrainians residing in besieged towns.

Notably, Greece's strategic location as a conduit for war materiel has strengthened its ties with Ukraine. Its northern port of Alexandroupolis offers a direct rail link to Odesa, making it one of the quickest routes for military equipment to reach Ukraine within 24 hours. With Turkey closing the Bosphorus Strait to military traffic, Greece has become a vital channel for logistical support to Ukraine.

Beyond military assistance, Greece has also engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Turkey in an effort to establish maritime boundaries in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, in adherence to the UN's Law of the Sea. The disputes between Greece and Turkey have further fueled Greece's commitment to nonbelligerence, which it seeks to see applied in the Ukrainian conflict.

Despite opposition from a majority of Greeks to increased defense spending and sending more weapons to Ukraine, Greece continues to offer support. The United States has encouraged further military transfers, offering Greece $200 million in foreign military financing, and Greece has indicated its willingness to send antiaircraft guns and potentially an S-300 air defense system to Ukraine.

Greece and Ukraine are currently negotiating a 10-year assistance agreement, like many other NATO members, based on the utilization of military budget surpluses. However, concerns for its own security prevent Greece from being more generous, though Ukraine is making requests for additional support.

The decommissioning of 32 older F-16 fighter jets by Greece, as it upgrades its fleet and acquires new Rafale fighters, could potentially assist Ukraine. While Greece's preferred approach is to sell these jets back to the United States, which would upgrade them before transferring them to Ukraine, some military experts have expressed reservations about depleting Greece's air force capabilities.

As Greece continues to face challenges from its neighbors, its commitment to support Ukraine has raised concerns about the safety of its leaders. The missile strike near President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Mitsotakis serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Overall, Greece's stance in support of Ukraine remains a contentious and delicate matter that will continue to impact its political relationships and regional dynamics in the near future.