In the lead-up to a NATO summit in Ankara, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis refrained from directly addressing reports that the United States might resume sales of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. Instead, Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of NATO allies being mindful of regional security issues. He reiterated Greece’s commitment to fostering better relations with Türkiye through dialogue and cooperation, advocating for a good-neighbourly approach to diplomacy.
These comments emerge amidst signals from US President Donald Trump that Washington is contemplating easing defense restrictions on Türkiye. This could include the potential lifting of CAATSA sanctions and resuming the sale of F-35 fighter jets, marking a significant shift in military cooperation between the US and Türkiye.
Mitsotakis underlined that while improved relations with Türkiye are a goal, NATO must consider the security concerns of all its member states. This is particularly pertinent given the enduring regional disputes. Greece and Türkiye have long-standing disagreements over maritime boundaries and territorial rights in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, which continue to be contentious issues impacting the relationship between the two NATO members.
Efforts to enhance diplomatic ties between Greece and Türkiye have been ongoing, yet these territorial and maritime disputes remain a persistent source of tension. The potential shift in US-Türkiye defense relations could further complicate the geopolitical landscape in the region, a point underscored by Mitsotakis’s call for sensitivity to security concerns.
