Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered two pointed messages with clear targets as he arrived at the NATO Summit in Ankara. One focused on the burning issue of the F-35 fighter jets, while the other addressed Turkey’s longstanding threat of war against Greece should Athens exercise its legal right to extend its territorial waters.
On the latter point, Mitsotakis was characteristically direct: “What I can say is that an alliance must be built on the fundamental principles of good neighborly relations.” He added: “My country faces a constant threat of war from Turkey if it extends its territorial waters — we must remain prepared.” In doing so, he explicitly linked Turkey’s threat of force to the question of Ankara potentially acquiring F-35 fighter jets. While he stopped short of directly commenting on statements made the previous day by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Donald Trump, his remark that “the sensitivities of all allies must be taken into account” was clearly deliberate. The word “all,” in this context, appears to include Israel — given Tel Aviv’s well-known opposition to Turkey becoming the second country in the Middle Eastern strategic landscape to operate the stealth fighter jet, after Israel itself.
It is also no coincidence that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been set to travel to Israel today with the aim of “calming concerns,” according to American media reports — though Israeli media outlets reported that the trip had been postponed.
Turkish media react provocatively to Mitsotakis statements: “He crossed the line”
The Greek prime minister’s remarks were picked up by all major Turkish news outlets, which adopted a provocative tone in their coverage, distorting the context with phrases such as “Kyriakos Mitsotakis made statements that could escalate tensions in bilateral relations,” as reported by Chrysa Makri for parapolitika.gr.
Milliyet wrote: “The ripple effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s positive signals regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey at the NATO Summit in Ankara continue to be felt. When asked about the F-35s by reporters on the sidelines of the Summit, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: ‘I will not comment on that. I will not comment on what President Trump and President Erdoğan said. However, what I can say is this: an Alliance must be grounded in fundamental principles, and those principles must be rooted in good neighborly relations. If we face a threat of war from Turkey should we exercise our legitimate rights, then all — all NATO allies — must take into account the sensitivities of everyone. We believe that many of these problems can only be resolved through good neighborly relations.'”
In a provocative and visibly irritated tone, Turkish news network Habertürk stated: “Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis crossed the line and made scandalous remarks on the second day of the NATO heads of state and government summit held in Ankara.”
“Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made statements that could escalate tensions in bilateral relations. Expressing concern over Turkey’s defense industry initiatives and its contacts with the United States, Mitsotakis said: ‘My country faces an open threat of war from Turkey. I will not comment on the Erdoğan-Trump discussion regarding the F-35s.’ The Greek prime minister argued that an Alliance should continue to be based on fundamental principles and good neighborly relations, while insisting that NATO allies should take into account Athens’ ‘sensitivities,'” the provocative Turkish report continued.
#CANLI Tarihi NATO Zirvesi’nde ikinci gün | Yunanistan Başbakanı Miçotakis konuşuyor https://t.co/1r6rbjH53g
— Habertürk (@Haberturk) July 8, 2026
Sabah ramps up rhetoric: “Mitsotakis targeted Turkey with arrogant comments”
Sabah published the following provocative take on Mitsotakis’ remarks: “‘I won’t comment on the F-35 statements!’ Speaking after the meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis avoided addressing the F-35 discussion directly, but leveled unfounded accusations against Turkey. Using arrogant language, the Greek leader accused Ankara of posing a ‘constant threat of war,’ creating a new provocation from the NATO podium.”
The provocative Turkish article carried the headline: “Mitsotakis targeted Turkey with insolent remarks: I won’t comment on the F-35 statements!”
In a similar vein, Turkish outlet STAR ran a piece headlined: “The F-35 question that cornered Mitsotakis: He dodged the answer.”
Son Dakika, for its part, claimed: “Remarks unbecoming of the NATO spirit! Scandalous words about Turkey from Mitsotakis in Ankara.”
“The statement that rattled the Greek prime minister over the F-35s”
SOZCU also wrote about the F-35 statement that “rattled the Greek prime minister,” while network GZT covered the Greek prime minister’s response on the F-35s: “I will make no comment.”
Anadolu Agency adopted an ironic and provocative tone with the following headline: “Mitsotakis delivers message on ‘developing relations’ in Ankara.”
Yeniakit was provocative from the very headline, claiming: “Mitsos, who was ‘put in his place’ yesterday to the sounds of the mehter, turned into a wet cat: ‘I’m not commenting on the F-35 statement.'”
Turkiye, adopting a triumphalist tone following the Trump-Erdoğan tête-à-tête, offered this interpretation: “Trump gave the green light… Mitsotakis asked about the F-35s: I will make no comment!”
The Dunya agency spoke of “Mitsotakis complaining about Turkey and the F-35s: The sensitivities of NATO allies must be taken into account,” while TGRT wrote: “Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis was asked about the F-35s set to be delivered to Turkey.”
Hurriyet chose to focus on “Mitsotakis’ attention-grabbing response to a question about the F-35s.”
