US eyes stronger energy ties with Greece, says interior secretary

12/9/2025 6:16

The U.S. wants to expand its energy ties with Greece, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said during a visit to Athens on Thursday, as the Trump administration works to further reduce Russia's oil and gas supplies to Europe.



Burgum has been in Europe this week aiming to seal energy supply deals, which the U.S. hopes will strengthen its influence in the region while weakening Russia's.



On Wednesday, Greece announced that a consortium including oil major Chevron had bid to explore for natural gas in its waters.



"The Trump administration has a couple of goals relative to energy and one of those is energy abundance, energy to our friends and allies so they do not have to buy from our adversaries," Burgum told Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a meeting.



"The United States is fully committed to replacing Russian gas with U.S. gas," he said.