Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Athens on Sunday, November 16, 2025, in a trip marked by unusually strict security measures and a sweeping ban on public outdoor gatherings. The Greek police (EL.AS) have issued orders prohibiting all demonstrations between 06:00 and 22:00 that day in large swathes of the capital – including the city center and the northern suburbs of Psychiko and Halandri.
The no-protest zones are tightly defined by major boulevards and streets (such as Vasilissis Konstantinou Avenue, Stadiou, and Kifissias) in areas considered politically significant or strategically sensitive. According to the Athenian police, the ban is justified by “a serious risk to public safety,” including potential crimes against life or property and serious disruption to social and economic life.
Security and Diplomatic Stakes
Zelensky’s visit comes at a fraught moment: his government is under pressure from a major corruption scandal at home, and Greece and Ukraine are deepening their cooperation on energy and security. During his stay, Zelensky is expected to meet with key figures including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Speaker of the Parliament, and other senior officials.
The Greek government’s decision to heavily restrict public assemblies signals how seriously it is treating this visit: not only as a diplomatic courtesy, but also as a geopolitical moment. The tight security underscores Athens’s role as a strategic partner in Ukraine’s broader push for Western support.
Tension Between Security and Civil Rights
While the Greek authorities argue the measures are necessary, they raise deeper questions about democratic space and the right to protest. Critics may see the decision as excessive, effectively silencing dissent at a time when the visit could naturally spark public reactions—especially given the symbolic weight of Zelensky’s presence.
On the one hand, the state’s priority is clear: preventing any incident that could threaten a high-risk diplomatic visit. On the other, the blanket ban on protests may fuel accusations that the government is prioritizing image over citizens’ fundamental rights.
Geopolitical Implications
Zelensky’s visit is not merely ceremonial. Key issues on the agenda reportedly include:
- Energy cooperation: Discussions about a “vertical corridor” for LNG supply are expected to be central.
- Military support and arms: Greece has been a supporter of Ukraine’s security; future assistance and military ties may be reinforced.
- Corruption optics: Zelensky comes amid a major corruption scandal at home, and this foreign trip could double as a message of resilience or a bid for renewed credibility.
By making Athens the setting for such high-level talks, both Zelensky and the Greek government aim to project strength. But by shutting down the streets, they may also provoke domestic criticism about the limits of public dissent during times of geopolitical theater.
Risks Ahead
- Social backlash: Citizens and activists barred from protesting may view this as a creeping authoritarianism.
- Logistical strain: Enforcing a big no-gathering zone is a massive police operation, putting pressure on law-enforcement resources.
- Political symbolism: Silencing public dissent around Zelensky’s visit could be perceived as undermining democratic norms — potentially damaging to Greece’s global image.
As Zelensky descends on Athens under tight security, the city rises as a geopolitical flashpoint: a stage for strategic diplomacy — but also a test of Greece’s commitment to civil liberties. The government’s decision to shut down large parts of the capital for one day may preserve order, but it also risks deepening the tension between state power and citizens’ democratic rights.
Source: pagenews.gr