US ambassador to Greece accused of pushing Balkan leaders to buy American LNG, fueling political uproar

A French newspaper highlighted a scandal involving US ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle, who reportedly urged Balkan leaders to increase purchases of American LNG. During a March dinner in Athens, she allegedly clashed with Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and warned that the United States could influence any country, citing the imminent fall of the Romanian government. In Romania, the story fueled a motion of censure that led to the collapse of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s liberal government, prompting opposition parties to accuse the US of meddling in the vote.

A centre-right Romanian deputy has lodged a criminal complaint against three politicians for allegedly negotiating with a foreign power to destabilise the economy. Greek opposition parties have demanded a parliamentary response, while the Greek government insists there is no threat to its sovereignty. The episode has intensified scrutiny of US energy diplomacy in the Balkans and raised questions about the role of foreign ambassadors in regional energy deals.