US ambassador to Greece faces scrutiny over $6 billion Albanian gas deal

An investigation published by The Wall Street Journal has highlighted the role of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US Ambassador to Greece, and energy lobbyist Christos Marafatsos in promoting a major regional gas agreement. In March 2026, Guilfoyle met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana alongside Marafatsos and executives from the Greek infrastructure group Aktor. One month after the meeting, Aktor secured a $6 billion contract to supply natural gas to Albania.

The reporting points to overlapping roles, noting that Marafatsos provided advice to Guilfoyle while simultaneously representing private energy interests. The arrangement has raised questions regarding the boundaries between American diplomatic advocacy, commercial lobbying, and Greek corporate expansion across Southeastern Europe.

Sources: Gazeta Tema, Koha