Athens–Washington Power Move: Dendias Invites Hegseth as Defense Ties Enter a New Phase

In a warm yet strategically charged atmosphere, Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias held high-level talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, alongside U.S. Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, according to the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence.

During the one-on-one meeting between Dendias and Hegseth, both sides reaffirmed the excellent state of Greek–American defense cooperation, at both the bilateral level and within the framework of NATO, while also exploring new avenues for deeper and more structured collaboration.

Particular emphasis was placed on defense innovation and the defense industrial base, signaling Athens’ intention to move beyond traditional security cooperation toward joint strategic planning and technological synergies, at a time of profound geopolitical uncertainty.

An invitation carrying strategic weight

During the talks, Mr. Dendias extended an official invitation to his American counterpart to visit Greece — an invitation that was formally accepted. The forthcoming visit of Secretary Hegseth to Athens is expected to carry significant geopolitical symbolism, as Greece seeks to consolidate its role as a pillar of stability and a trusted U.S. ally in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Diplomatic sources note that the visit could coincide with critical discussions on regional security architecture, NATO deterrence, and the evolving balance of power in the wider Middle East and Black Sea regions.

Broader contacts and long-term strategic dialogue

In parallel, the Greek Defence Minister also held extensive consultations with Under Secretary Elbridge Colby, focusing on the long-term trajectory of U.S.–Greek defense relations.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Secretary Daniel Zimmerman and Thanos Dokos, National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece, underscoring the institutional depth and strategic continuity of the dialogue between the two countries.

The Dendias–Hegseth meeting confirms that Greek–American relations are entering a phase of qualitative upgrade, extending beyond military cooperation to include joint security planning, industrial partnerships and strategic alignment within the broader Euro-Atlantic framework.

Source: pagenews.gr