As NATO members prepare for a summit in Ankara, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has refrained from directly addressing reports that the United States may restart sales of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. Instead, Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of NATO allies being considerate of regional security issues. He highlighted Greece’s commitment to fostering improved relations with Türkiye through dialogue and cooperative neighborly efforts.
Mitsotakis underscored the need for NATO to prioritize the security concerns of all its member states, a subtle nod to the ongoing disputes between Greece and Türkiye in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. These areas have been longstanding points of contention, with disagreements over maritime boundaries and territorial rights fueling tension between the two countries.
The Greek leader’s comments come in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s indication that the U.S. might lift restrictions on defense cooperation with Türkiye. This could include the sale of F-35 fighter jets and a possible easing of sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Although diplomatic efforts have been made to ease tensions between Greece and Türkiye, the deeply rooted disputes over maritime and territorial issues remain unresolved. These disputes continue to challenge the relationship between the two nations, both of which play critical roles within the NATO alliance.