You do not need formal credentials in foreign policy or diplomacy to recognize the awkwardness of the Mitsotakis government following Donald Trump’s election to the U.S. presidency.
Many, including the Greek government, placed all their bets on the Democrats and Kamala Harris, only to find themselves facing a harsh political reality. Now, everyone is scrambling to establish a point of connection with the United States.
At the Maximos Mansion, there was some hope tied to Mike Pompeo’s appointment as Secretary of State, but even that seems to be slipping away. Trump quickly sidelined him with a succinct announcement on social media, removing him from the equation early on.
To be fair, the entire European bloc lacks connections with the new President’s team—could the Greek government be an exception? With whom? Alexandra Papadopoulou, who consistently challenges even the authority of Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis on a daily basis?
Even closer
The individual who remains closest to Donald Trump is John Catsimatidis. A prominent expatriate, millionaire, and vice-president of the Archdiocesan Council of the Archdiocese of America, who has been a steadfast supporter of President Trump from the very beginning.
It is solely through his influence that matters concerning Greece and the Ecumenical Patriarchate can gain attention and be addressed. However, the Greek government managed to mishandle their relationship with him as well.
It’s worth noting that just a few months ago, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following Alexandra Papadopoulou’s advice, chose not to meet with Katsimatidis and other prominent leaders of the Ecumenical Patriarchate who were in Athens for their conference.
The question, of course, is how much influence Katsimatidis can wield, especially when compared to the personal friendship between the new American president and Tayyip Erdogan. It is clear that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has stronger channels to President Trump through Tayyip Erdogan than through the Mitsotakis government.
On the margins
Greece finds itself with limited backing within the new U.S. administration. Those who previously had access to President Biden—dubbed as their friend “Baidenopoulos”—will soon find themselves searching for new roles and opportunities come January.
Truth be told, the influence of Greek lobbyists in the United States is waning. There are currently no Greek figures closely associated with Donald Trump. As for those he associated with during his first term in office, it’s doubtful he even remembers their names.
Therefore, things are likely to take a different course. For Europe, Greece, but also the Ukraine. Not only at the political level, but also at the ecclesiastical level.
Changes
The new president has emphasized that addressing the Ukraine issue will be a top priority on his agenda. Developments in Ukraine are certain to influence the country’s ecclesiastical affairs significantly.
I am not in a position to predict how the situation between Epifaniy and Onufriy will be resolved in the war-torn country. Nevertheless, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will be profoundly influenced by the geopolitical developments in the region. They now look to the very one they once ignored to come to their rescue.
Melchizedek
*Published in the newspaper “Orthodoxi Alitheia”
