The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias visited the US capital – Washington, where he held a meeting on Tuesday 3 February 2026, with the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby. Earlier, he participated in the “Delphi Economic Forum Washington D.C. VII”.
During his meeting with Mr. Hegseth, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the Greek Minister extended a formal invitation for his US counterpart to visit Greece, which was accepted. Excellent defence cooperation was also highlighted, both bilaterally and within NATO, and possibilities for further cooperation and synergies in the fields of defence innovation and defence industry were explored.
The meeting with Mr. Colby, at which there was extensive discussion of USA – Greece defence cooperation, was also attended by the Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman and the National Security Advisor of Greece Thanos Dokos.
Following the conclusion of the meeting with the US Secretary of War, Mr. Dendias stated:
“At the conclusion of my visit to Washington and my participation in the “Delphi Forum”, I had the opportunity today to meet with the Minister of War Mr. Hegseth, in the presence also of the Under Secretary of War for Policy Mr. Colby.
During this meeting, I had the opportunity to explain Greece’s positions on a range of broader issues affecting our region, the strategic challenges we face, and our efforts to reform the Greek Armed Forces, the “Agenda 2030”. I also referred to a series of agreements we have signed with the US, such as the agreement for the purchase of F-35s, and the manner in which these agreements will be implemented in the best possible way for the Greek Armed Forces.
Finally, I had invited the Secretary in writing to visit Greece, and we would be delighted to welcome him, as I recall that visits by US Defence Ministers to our Country are not frequent.
It will therefore be something exceptional for us”.
Yesterday, the Minister also visited the “American Israel Public Affairs Committee” (AIPAC) offices, where he discussed security challenges in the wider eastern Mediterranean region with the Managing Director Arne Christenson and members of the AIPAC Board of Directors.
Mr. Dendias also met with Senator Jerry Moran at the Senate office building, with whom he discussed further strengthening of Greece – US relations. He also visited the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Mike Rogers, in Congress with whom he exchanged views on Greek – American defence relations and the prospects for deepening them.
Subsequently, the Minister of National Defence participated in a discussion with FDD (The Foundation for Defense of Democracies) Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer at the “Delphi Economic Forum Washington D.C. VII” on current international and regional developments in Defence and Security issues.
On Monday 2 February 2026, the Greek Minister participated in a roundtable discussion of “Delphi Economic Forum Washington D.C. VII” on the topic: “Defence at a crossroads: NATO, The Eastern Mediterranean, and U.S. Strategic Commitment”. During his speech, the Greek Minister highlighted Greece’s strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean.
On the sidelines of the “Delphi Forum Washington DC”, Mr. Dendias met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos on the same day.
He also had meetings on 2/2/2026 with the CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC) Ted Deutch and the CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America Michael Makovsky.
