US nuclear submarine Newport News off the coast of Greece. File photoWASHINGTON, Oct 12 Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense Sasha Baker discussed with Greek Deputy Secretary of National Defense Nikolaos Hardalias the prospects for expanding the US military presence in Greece, the Pentagon said.»The two leaders exchanged views on expanding the military presence United States in Souda Bay and other areas of Greece to strengthen support for the NATO alliance, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Black Sea and the southern flank of NATO,” the press release said. The parties also noted the importance of the port of Alexandropoulis for “sustainable access to the eastern flank of NATO and, especially, assistance to Ukraine. «Baker thanked Greece for supporting Ukraine and spoke in favor of continuing the Greek-Turkish dialogue to reduce tensions in the region. Russia had previously sent a note to NATO countries due to the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. The Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation stated that the NATO countries are «playing with fire» by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West does not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative effect. >Erdogan says Greece asks US for help in confronting Turkey
