Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has once again adopted an openly anti-Greek tone, reviving Cold War-style rhetoric and backing Turkey and the Republic of Skopje [sic “North Macedonia”] in a direct challenge to Greece and Cyprus.
Responding on Telegram to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who accused Moscow of violating all ten principles of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, Zakharova claimed that the real violators were the OSCE’s own member states. She cited historical “examples” such as Greece’s 1974 dictatorship and the coup in Cyprus — an argument seen in Athens as a blatant distortion of history.
In her message, Zakharova appeared to echo Ankara’s narrative, downplaying Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus and implying shared Greek-Cypriot responsibility. She also invoked the Republic of Skopje [sic “North Macedonia”], accusing Greece of obstructing cooperation initiatives before 2018 — aligning herself with a familiar revisionist Balkan discourse.
Analysts view this as part of a broader Russian attempt to forge geopolitical alignment with Ankara and selected Balkan states seeking to distance themselves from Euro-Atlantic institutions and expand Moscow’s influence.
Athens responded swiftly and firmly, calling Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus an “open wound for Hellenism” and a gross violation of international law. Greek diplomats reminded Moscow that the 1974 coup has been unreservedly condemned by all democratically elected governments, and that the Cyprus issue remains one of foreign invasion and illegal occupation — as repeatedly affirmed by the United Nations.
On the question of relations with the Republic of Skopje [sic “North Macedonia”], Greece reiterated that the dispute was resolved peacefully under UN auspices, fully consistent with the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, which enshrined peaceful coexistence and respect for sovereignty.
This latest outburst underscores Moscow’s growing use of rhetorical offensives aimed at undermining Western institutions while amplifying Turkish and Balkan revisionism at the expense of Greece and Cyprus.
