US President Donald Trump is uniquely positioned to influence Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regional policies by “whispering” in his ear, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said in an interview with Fox News on Friday, warning of Turkey’s expansionist ambitions.
Speaking to Caitlin McFall of Fox News, Dendias voiced concerns over Turkey’s geopolitical actions in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black seas, suggesting that some in Turkey aspire to restore Ottoman-era influence over parts of Greece, Syria, Iraq, Iran and the Caucasus. He described this as a challenge to NATO stability and international law.
While Greece and Turkey, both NATO members since 1952, have long been at odds over Cyprus and involved in maritime disputes, after a period of calm following reciprocal visits by the countries’ leaders, tensions have resurfaced due to Ankara’s recent military exercises and natural resource exploration efforts. Dendias labeled Turkey’s foreign policy approach as “neo-Ottoman” and accused Erdoğan of disregarding international treaties.
Dendias also addressed Turkey’s military operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US ally in the fight against the Islamic State group. He warned against abandoning Kurdish forces who have fought alongside Western allies.
Discussing Trump’s relationship with Erdoğan, Dendias suggested the US president could remind the Turkish leader of the importance of international law and NATO stability. He cautioned that Ankara’s actions could create additional challenges for the alliance, particularly given ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Amid NATO discussions on defense spending, Dendias highlighted Greece’s commitment to military readiness, noting that his country spends a larger share of its GDP on defense than Turkey. He called for European nations to align their security priorities and counter threats posed by countries that disregard international borders.
The Turkish government, in response to questions from Fox, defended its military posture and dismissed accusations of expansionism, saying it remains committed to international law and regional stability.