US President Donald Trump has denied a report that his administration could close the US military presence in Alexandroupolis, Greece, near the border with Turkey, as part of its changing policy towards Ukraine and Russia.
The site, located near the Greek-Turkish border, was seen as a counterbalance to Turkey’s control over the Bosporus Strait and a vital logistical hub for US and NATO operations in Eastern Europe.
According to the Greek news websites citing the now-denied report, the Trump administration believes that with peace talks between the US and Russia progressing, continued American military support for Ukraine is no longer necessary. The discussions, which have notably excluded both Ukraine and Europe, are reportedly advancing toward a settlement that would prevent Kyiv from joining NATO and solidify Russia’s territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.
Shutting down the military presence in Alexandroupolis would have geopolitical ramifications, particularly in relation to Turkey. Ankara has long opposed the presence of US forces there. The facility allowed US forces to bypass the Bosporus Strait, which Turkey controls under the 1936 Montreux Convention, and directly supply Ukraine by land. If the site is decommissioned, Turkey would regain its monopoly over the passage of military and commercial vessels between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, a move that would strengthen its strategic position and align with Russia’s interests.
When asked by a reporter whether the report on Washington’s deliberations to end the US military presence in the area was accurate, Trump turned to his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the report was not accurate, which the president reiterated in agreement.