Staff Reports
President Donald Trump has a new calling card in foreign policy and it smells faintly of diesel: energy diplomacy. That’s the clear message from Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, who, in a recent exclusive interview at the Delphi Economic Forum, praised the administration’s use of pipelines, LNG deals, and deepwater drilling partnerships as tools to reshape geopolitics. Greece’s embrace of U.S. majors like ExxonMobil and Chevron proves this approach is more than talk — it’s action.
Energy diplomacy: Trump’s practical foreign policy
What Papastavrou calls President Trump’s “trademark move” is straightforward: use energy as both carrot and stick. The National Energy Dominance Council, chaired by Secretary Doug Burgum with Secretary Chris Wright in a key role, and the DOE’s P‑TEC platform make energy a coordinated policy instrument. The 3+1 format — Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the U.S. — is the working example. It’s not glamorous. It is, however, effective. Who knew that deals over pipes and LNG shipments would do what speeches and committees often fail to do? Energy diplomacy delivers leverage, investment, and yes, stability.
Greece bets big with ExxonMobil and Chevron
Greece is no longer sitting on the sidelines. The government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has moved fast to open deepwater blocks to exploration. ExxonMobil has taken a major stake in the Ionian “Block 2” and plans exploratory drilling targeting deep formations that industry materials describe down to about 4,600 meters — the first real offshore effort in Greece in decades. Chevron is lined up for blocks south of Crete and off the Peloponnese. These are big bets with big rigs and big technical challenges, but they also tie Greece more tightly to American investment, know‑how, and political backing.
Why it matters for Europe and security
This isn’t just about profits and exploration charts. It’s about energy security and breaking Europe’s dependence on unreliable suppliers. Papastavrou’s point is blunt: Europe woke up to the risks of relying on a single supplier when Russia weaponized gas. U.S. LNG and potential Greek domestic supplies create real diversification — a lifeline for allies who want stable winters and steady industry. That said, caveats remain. Exploratory wells are risky, timelines depend on permits and rig availability, and environmental safeguards must be met. None of that excuses the EU’s past ambivalence about developing its own resources.
If you want a blueprint for how to wield American influence without sending troops, look no further than energy diplomacy. President Trump’s strategy puts American companies and allies in the driver’s seat while shrinking space for bad actors. Greece’s welcome mat for ExxonMobil and Chevron shows the model works — provided policymakers keep the focus on securing supply, enforcing standards, and moving fast. In diplomacy as in life, sometimes the best leverage isn’t a new treaty, it’s a well-placed pipeline. And yes, it can be signed in the drilling contract.
