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

Further details have emerged regarding the role of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and lobbyist Christos Marafatsos in facilitating commercial energy transactions in Southeastern Europe. According to coverage of a Wall Street Journal investigation, Guilfoyle actively promoted Greek infrastructure firm Aktor during diplomatic engagements in Tirana.

The ambassador met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in March 2026, accompanied by Marafatsos and corporate executives. Approximately one month after the meeting, Aktor finalized a $6 billion contract to deliver natural gas to Albania. The report raises questions concerning the dual role of Marafatsos, who served as a personal advisor to the ambassador while concurrently lobbying for private entities in the regional energy sector.

Sources: Gazeta Tema, Koha.