At the NATO Summit held in Ankara, US President Donald Trump's positive remarks on Turkey's procurement of F-35 fighter jets triggered deep unease and security concerns in Greece.
Greece's former prime minister Alexis Tsipras, speaking at a panel of the Economist magazine, said: "Recent developments raise serious concerns for both European security and our national security."
Tsipras criticized the government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for abandoning multilateral foreign policy and pursuing a "blank check policy" towards the US. The former prime minister claimed that during the Joe Biden era, when Mitsotakis was in opposition, Mitsotakis took "extreme actions" to the point of calling him a "Trumpist."
Tsipras, who stated, "In the current situation, Turkey is being given F-35s, F-16s, Eurofighters, and American aircraft engines, while we cannot even lay a cable to Çoban Island. Make no mistake, that is exactly the situation. Our national security is under threat," recalled that during his own tenure, he had made demands from the US in exchange for a five-year use agreement for the Souda military base.
Tsipras accused Mitsotakis of granting the US indefinite use rights to six different bases, including Alexandroupoli. Describing Trump's F-35 support for Turkey as a "national defeat," the former prime minister said that in addition to the procurement of F-16s, F-35s, and Eurofighters, Turkey had achieved many successes, such as signing an agreement with Libya on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas.
Greek media extensively analyzed Turkey's gains
Following the first day of the NATO Summit, the Greek press gave extensive coverage to Trump's praise for Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Statements regarding F-35s and CAATSA sanctions were assessed as significant diplomatic gains for Turkey.
In its article headlined 'Athens is concerned by the developments,' the Kathimerini newspaper reported that Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, in a meeting with members of the US Congress in Athens, said that "Turkey's procurement of F-35s could have serious consequences for stability and security in the region."
The same newspaper wrote that Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis also expressed unease over Turkey's F-35 acquisition during his meeting with US Congress members on July 10.
Kathimerini argued that until now, Greece had treated the F-35 issue as a bilateral matter between Turkey and the US and maintained a balanced stance. The newspaper commented: "The new reality requires Greece to convey its position through all channels and communicate all of the Greek views to Washington. However, it is striking that the Greek side lacks the ability to exert pressure on Washington."
In its Saturday edition, Ta Nea newspaper, citing an experienced diplomat who requested anonymity, included the statement: "Trump's praise for Erdoğan plays a key role in improving bilateral relations."
The article assessed: "This is where the problems start for Athens. It sees the two allies growing closer, Turkey entering the European security architecture, and seeking to play a role in the Middle East. Unlike the Europeans who frequently disappoint Trump, Turkey appears ready to send troops wherever it is told."
