Russia: Moscow warns Athens about sending S-300 missile system to Ukraine
Russia’s permanent representative Crimea Georgy Muratov warned Greece not to transfer Russia-made anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 to Ukraine, saying it would be an ‘irrational display of hostility towards Russia’.
Speaking to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Muratov said: “Such a move by Athens would not only be an irrational display of hostility towards Russia, but also a dangerous step towards its own national interests, as the Greek public opinion is already resoundingly emphasising”.
Previously, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos admitted that the Greek government is ready to send S-300 air defence systems from Crete to Ukraine if the US “installs Patriot systems in their place”.
RIA Novosti explained that the transfer of Russian-made weapons to Ukraine, under pressure from the United States, would mean that the Greek air defence would be deprived of capabilities the Turkish side does not know and cannot face.