F-35 Deal Puts ‘Greece’ Into A Catch-22 Situation; US Offers $200M In Exchange For Weapons Transfer To Ukraine

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has proposed a potential exchange with Greece, offering to facilitate the transfer or sale of weaponry to Ukraine in return for Washington’s consideration of providing additional aid to Athens, amounting to a possible US$200 million.

In a letter addressed to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Blinken expressed interest in Greece’s defense capabilities that could be useful to Ukraine, contingent upon Ukraine’s interest and a subsequent assessment of the condition and approximate cost of the proposed assets.

“We continue to be interested in Greece’s defense potential to transfer or sell to Ukraine. If these opportunities are of interest to Ukraine and before the US government assesses their condition and approximate cost, we can explore opportunities for the potential allocation of additional foreign military financing in the amount of up to US$200 million for Greece,” Blinken said.

This proposal comes after the US State Department’s latest authorization of a prospective US$8.6 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets and associated equipment to Greece.

According to the Pentagon’s Security Cooperation Agency, this deal could involve the procurement of up to 40 fighters, 42 engines, guidance systems, spare parts, and other ancillary equipment, with assurances that such transactions would not undermine US military readiness or disrupt regional military balance.