Wall Street Journal details US diplomatic role in $6 billion Balkan energy deal

An investigation published by The Wall Street Journal has drawn attention to the involvement of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and energy lobbyist Christos Marafatsos in facilitating energy transactions in South-Eastern Europe.

According to regional reporting on the inquiry, Guilfoyle traveled to Tirana in March 2026 for a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. She was accompanied by Marafatsos and representatives from the Greek infrastructure firm Aktor. Following the discussions, Aktor finalized a $6 billion agreement one month later to supply natural gas to Albania.

The revelations have sparked questions regarding the relationship between American diplomatic initiatives, private lobbying, and Greek commercial expansion in the regional energy sector. Reports note that Marafatsos advised Guilfoyle while simultaneously representing private energy entities.

Sources: Gazeta Tema, Koha