The New York TimesThe New York Times

Sleepy Greek Port Becomes U.S. Arms Hub, as Ukraine War Reshapes Region

By Niki Kitsantonis and Anatoly Kurmanaev

18 Aug 2022 · 6 min read

Editor's Note

An almost-forgotten concrete pier in a small Northern Greek city has become an unlikely flashpoint in the conflict between the U.S. and Russia—drawing in Turkey as well. The New York Times reports.

ALEXANDROUPOLI, Greece — It is an unlikely geopolitical flashpoint: a concrete pier in a little coastal city, barely used a few years ago and still occupied only by sea gulls most of the time.

But the sleepy port of Alexandroupoli in northeastern Greece has taken on a central role in increasing the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe, with the Pentagon transporting enormous arsenals through here in what it describes as the effort to contain Russian aggression. That flow has angered not only Russia but also neighboring Turkey, underlining how war in Ukraine is reshaping Europe’s economic and diplomatic relationships.

Sign in to informed

  • Curated articles from premium publishers, ad-free
  • Concise Daily Briefs with quick-read summaries
  • Read, listen, save for later, or enjoy offline
  • Enjoy personalized content
Or

LoginForm.agreeToTerms