Greece is actively bolstering its armed forces as it seeks to combine diplomacy and deterrence as part of a new-look defense strategy.

The country's Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos revealed investment in Greece's military capabilities was already underway and will benefit the country's diplomatic efforts.

"We are engaging very actively in diplomacy – defense diplomacy, regular diplomacy, all sorts of diplomacy," he told CGTN at the Delphi Economic Forum. 

"But at the same time, in order for that diplomacy to prove effective, we are also engaging in a very organized effort to improve the deterrent element of our armed forces." 

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That decision has been prompted by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Greece was among the first countries to supply Ukraine with arms: 400 AK-47 assault rifles, rocket launchers and ammunition at the beginning of the conflict.

The supplying of weapons to Ukraine marked a major milestone for Greece – historically the country never sends weapons abroad, as a matter of principle. 

But Greece has become a key player in the West's response to Russia. Valuable weapons and aid are sent to Ukraine and NATO countries in the Balkans via Greece – and Panagiotopoulos admits the current geopolitical landscape required a new approach.

He said: "I think in the context of the current geopolitical situation, which is very complicated and full of potential tensions, Greece is here to provide its good services whenever needed. 

"We do believe, given the conflict, the war, the devastation in the Ukraine, the tension in other corners of the planet, that we should be very careful and exert all our efforts and our influence in order to defuse those tensions because the potential for greater geopolitical flux is there. So we all need to provide our good services."

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