US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to use his visit to Athens to deliver a major defence of Western values, calling on Europe and the United States to reconnect with the principles and ideas that shaped their civilisations.
Rubio will deliver the address near the Acropolis on Wednesday, placing ancient Athens at the centre of his message about democracy, freedom and the future of the West.
The US State Department has described the speech as a major address on democracy and its future.
Rubio is expected to argue that the West must rediscover qualities he says were born in Greece and later helped shape Western civilisation, including curiosity, courage, ambition and the determination to explore the unknown.
He will also warn that much of the Western world has lost sight of these qualities and urge the United States and its European allies to reject decline, defend their shared heritage and confront growing competition from major powers.
The choice of Athens is highly symbolic.
Ancient Greece is widely regarded as a foundation of Western political thought, with Athens becoming closely associated with participatory democracy and the development of ideas about citizenship, government and civic responsibility.
Rubio’s speech comes during a broader effort by the Trump administration to strengthen relations with European allies while pressing them to take greater responsibility for their own security.
The address is also likely to attract comparisons with a major speech delivered by US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference last year, when he sharply criticised European governments over immigration, security and their reliance on the United States.
Rubio, widely regarded as one of the administration’s most prominent international voices, has frequently been tasked with explaining Washington’s position to allies amid tensions over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
Greece at the centre of US strategy
Rubio’s Athens visit is not only about history and political philosophy.
The United States sees Greece as an increasingly important strategic partner in Europe, particularly in defence, energy and regional security.
Washington is seeking to expand the role of Greece as a hub for US liquefied natural gas exports into Southeastern and Central Europe, while the two countries are also deepening cooperation on defence and energy infrastructure.
Rubio has already held talks with Greek officials on Wednesday, with the Greece US relationship covering defence cooperation, energy security, the Vertical Corridor and wider regional developments.
The visit comes as Athens and Washington continue to strengthen their strategic relationship, including cooperation involving advanced US defence systems and Greece’s role as a security provider in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Protests in Athens
Rubio’s arrival has also prompted demonstrations.
Around 1,500 protesters gathered in Athens ahead of his visit, chanting anti American slogans and protesting US policy and the war in Iran.
The demonstration was organised by a communist labour union and other left wing groups, with organisers saying similar protests took place in several other Greek cities.
Athens has implemented extensive security measures and road closures for Rubio’s visit.
Guilfoyle allegations likely to surface
Rubio could also face questions about allegations involving US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Senior Democrats in the US Congress have opened inquiries into claims reported by The Wall Street Journal concerning Guilfoyle’s conduct while serving as Washington’s ambassador in Athens.
The allegations include claims that she suggested the United States could undermine the Greek government, promoted the interests of a Greek construction and energy company and allowed its lobbyist to participate in private diplomatic meetings.
Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing.
Rubio has previously defended the ambassador, describing her as an important advocate for President Trump’s agenda in Greece and across Europe and praising her work, particularly on energy.
Rubio’s NATO tour
Athens is the second stop on Rubio’s three nation tour of NATO allies.
He travelled to Iceland before Greece and is scheduled to visit Portugal on Thursday.
The tour is intended to reassure US allies that Washington remains committed to their security while also pressing European partners to contribute more to the alliance.
In Iceland, Rubio sought to ease concerns about President Trump’s intentions towards the country, saying the United States would not take action there without Iceland’s consent.
In Athens, however, the focus shifts from Arctic security to the foundations of Western civilisation.
And Rubio has chosen one of the most powerful settings possible to make his argument: Athens, the ancient city whose legacy continues to shape the political and democratic traditions of the West.
