In a clear message on the evolving division of responsibilities within NATO, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke from Ankara on Wednesday (08.07.2024), stressing that European countries can no longer treat their own defence as a matter delegated to third parties. He noted that Donald Trump had already, during his first term—and ‘in his own distinctive way’—highlighted the need for Europeans to assume greater responsibility for their security. And, as Mitsotakis stated, ‘he was absolutely right.’
A new era for NATO
The Russian invasion of Ukraine—and broader discussions around EU strategic autonomy—have fundamentally shifted the terms of the debate. According to Mitsotakis, European nations now understand that strengthening NATO’s European pillar is not merely a political choice, but an ‘undeniable priority’ and a ‘condition for the Alliance’s very survival.’
Greece’s defence spending leadership
The prime minister underscored Greece’s position among NATO’s top performers: based on official 2026 data, Greece is one of only five NATO members already exceeding the 5% target for major defence expenditure as a share of GDP. ‘Greece is already where other European countries hope to be by 2035,’ he said.
US commitment to NATO remains firm
Mitsotakis categorically dismissed any scenario of a US withdrawal from NATO. ‘I do not believe there is any possibility whatsoever that the United States will leave NATO,’ he affirmed, pointing out that Trump, in his closing remarks at the summit, expressed satisfaction with the improved atmosphere and with Europe’s response to calls for increased defence investment.
F-35s and regional realities
On the F-35 programme, Mitsotakis confirmed that Greek pilots will begin training on Greece’s newly acquired aircraft in 2027. The jets are already under production, and the procurement process is effectively underway. While declining to comment on other countries’ defence choices—stating it is ‘not Greece’s role to advise the US on whom to sell arms to’—he made a factual observation: significant legal barriers exist in current US law preventing Turkey’s acquisition of the F-35. He recalled that Turkey’s removal from the programme followed its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defence system—a platform viewed by both NATO and the US as directly incompatible with the F-35.
Modernising the Hellenic Air Force
Mitsotakis linked the F-35 acquisition to Greece’s broader effort to modernise its Hellenic Air Force over recent years.