Greece deserves a strong ambassador who has access to the U.S. President and enjoys his full confidence, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that the change in leadership at the U.S. Embassy in Athens does not constitute a downgrade of Greek-American relations.

In an interview with Matthew Boyle of Breitbart News, the head of U.S. diplomacy described Greece as an important ally for energy independence, regional stability, and NATO. He placed particular emphasis on Greece’s capacity to produce and transport energy between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East; meanwhile, referring to his speech at the Pnyx against the backdrop of the Acropolis, he linked U.S. foreign policy to the West’s shared cultural heritage.

Regarding the selection of a successor to Kimberly Gilfoyle in Athens, Mr. Rubio clarified that, at the time of the interview, the process was still in its early stages. As he said, it will take time to identify the right person and complete the process of confirming the appointment.

“Greece is an important country—a very important one. It is a great ally of the United States,” he noted. “It has helped us in so many ways and is important for our future.”

He said that Greece is a key pillar for important U.S. priorities, such as energy independence, regional stability, and NATO.

“Greece deserves a strong and capable ambassador who has access to the president and his trust,” he emphasized, assuring that in the meantime, Washington would ensure that a suitable team is in place at the embassy.

“Under no circumstances should any of this be viewed as a downgrading of our relationship with Greece. On the contrary, I believe it is so important to us that it is essential for the person stationed there to have the full support and trust of the President,” he stated.

He explained that the goal is to select an ambassador worthy of Greece and of the importance of the bilateral relationship.

Greece’s Role in Energy

Mr. Rubio highlighted both Greece’s geographic location and its positive stance toward energy exploration, noting that this combination creates significant opportunities.

“I believe that Greece is in a particularly unique position, both geographically and politically,” he said. As he noted, the country is open to energy exploration, views it with enthusiasm, and there appears to be support from the public as well.

At the same time, he emphasized its importance as a corridor for the construction of pipelines and energy transmission infrastructure, noting that the utilization of energy depends on the ability to transport it, whether it be oil and natural gas or electricity.

“It has always been the connecting link between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East,” he noted regarding Greece. “Beyond energy production, it can contribute to the transport of energy northward, to Europe, and southward, to Israel, the Middle East, and beyond.”

According to him, Greece’s geography currently offers advantages in the energy sector, just as it has historically done for trade and other economic activities.

Criticism of European Energy Policy

The U.S. Secretary of State argued that the international crisis served as a reminder of the crucial role energy plays in daily life, industry, and defense. He criticized policies aimed at curbing the use of fossil fuels by raising their cost, as well as the insufficient development of domestic energy sources in Europe.

He recalled Donald Trump’s warnings, during his first presidential term, regarding Germany’s dependence on Russian energy, and argued that this dependence influenced Moscow’s calculations prior to the invasion of Ukraine.

“Their dependence on Russian energy is one of the reasons why Putin invaded Ukraine, because he believed he could do so, because he believed Europe would do nothing about it,” he said.

He also noted that European countries are beginning to draw conclusions, but it will take time to reverse two decades of energy choices. He also linked the high cost of electricity and transportation to economic stagnation in many of these countries.

The Speech at the Pnyx and the Western Heritage

Referring to his speech at the Pnyx, Mr. Rubio stated that its message lies at the core of the approach the U.S. government seeks to incorporate into its foreign policy.

“We are the heirs. We inherited from Greece and Rome—and ultimately through Europe—many of the values upon which our country is founded today,” he said.

He argued that American institutions and values are the product of a historical journey spanning thousands of years and that acknowledging this heritage does not constitute an attack on other cultures.

“Every culture should be proud of itself,” he said, adding that, in his view, the West appears apologetic about its history and achievements, with consequences for foreign policy as well.

Regarding what Americans today take for granted—from prosperity to their form of government—he noted: “These stem from a shared history, which we must rediscover and embrace. That is what we are doing here, in this country, under President Trump. We want more Western leaders to do the same.”

He said he has noticed a growing response from other leaders, especially in private conversations. He noted, however, that turning this attitude into policy takes time, as there are still fears of criticism from the far left, the media, the academic community, and the established bureaucracy.

He predicted that more leaders would publicly express these views and get elected, thereby influencing their countries’ stance toward the West’s common interests.

Russian Diesel and U.S. Interests

Regarding Ukraine and Russia, Mr. Rubio defended the temporary easing of sanctions on Russian diesel in order to increase its supply on the global market.

As he explained, the decision is intended to serve the needs of the U.S. economy, although it may also benefit other countries.

“If there is a conflict between what is good for them and what is good for us, we must always choose what is good for us,” he said, referring to the priority of the U.S. national interest.

The decision, he added, was made “not because it is bad for Ukraine or good for Russia, but because it is good and important for America.”

Regarding the prospects for ending the war, he cited the dispute over control of Donetsk as a key obstacle to negotiations. He noted that Russia is demanding the entire region, while Ukraine considers the defensive line it maintains there critical to its security.

He stated that the U.S. remains ready to mediate a deal, while acknowledging the difficulties. “We would like the war to end, but we also have other priorities around the world that we are focusing on,” he noted.

When asked about holding elections in Ukraine, he said that the issue is not insignificant, but it is not the main reason why the war continues.

At the same time, he expressed dissatisfaction with Ukrainian strikes on ships in the Black Sea that, as he said, were carrying oil from American companies, clarifying that he does not believe Ukraine targeted them intentionally. He added that President Trump is also displeased with the Russian missile attacks that are striking residential areas and killing civilians in Kyiv.

Iran and Maritime Security in the Strait of Hormuz

Regarding Iran, Mr. Rubio argued that U.S. operations had weakened the conventional military capabilities that, in his assessment, Tehran sought to use as a shield for the development of a nuclear weapon.

He noted that the U.S. military presence is now focused on protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while sanctions and the blockade against Iran continue.

According to him, during the ten days leading up to the interview, an average of about 13 to 14 million barrels of oil per day were passing through the Strait, with U.S. forces escorting and protecting ships from attacks.

Mr. Rubio acknowledged that Iran continues to attack ships, but argued that the flow of oil to the international market has been largely restored. He also argued that, due to the embargo, Iran is the only country unable to ship even a single barrel of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that economic pressure is limiting the resources Tehran can allocate to its armed forces and to organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

More broadly, with regard to the Middle East, he characterized the Iranian regime as a key factor in the region’s conflict and instability. He acknowledged the importance of the Palestinian issue but argued that addressing Tehran’s role is a central prerequisite for resolving regional conflicts.

Source: CNA