Speaking at the 6th Delphi Forum in Washington D.C, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias underlined a key part of Athens’ strategic approach was to continue bolstering the already strong Greece-U.S. defense ties established during Trump’s first term which continued under Biden.

Dendias reflected on the overly optimistic expectations that prevailed in the Western world at the dawn of the 20th century, stressing that a new world order is now emerging, creating new challenges while intensifying older ones.

In his speech at the Dephi Forum, he urged the U.S. to choose the alliance model that best served its interests and efforts to stabilize the international system, using Greece’s neighborhood in the Eastern Mediterranean to highlight two contrasting trends emerging in the global geopolitical landscape.

Indirectly referring to Turkey without naming it, Dendias described it as a country that disregards international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He pointed out that Turkey, despite being a NATO member, had not imposed sanctions on Russia and maintained close ties with Moscow—a policy direction that, he argued, is not temporary but long-standing.

The Greek Defense Minister further characterized Turkey as a source of regional instability, stating that it challenges internationally recognized borders and treaties and actively participates in nearly every regional conflict. It is becoming increasingly Islamist, hosts the Muslim Brotherhood, maintains friendly ties with Hamas, and is a declared adversary of Israel.”

He pointed out that Turkey threatens war against an ally if it exercises its legal rights and pursues a neo-Ottoman vision, while also considering potential membership in BRICS.

Dendias contrasted Greece noting it upheld international law and the Law of the Sea. He emphasized Greece’s commitment to political freedom and democratic values as an EU member state, standing firmly with Ukraine in its fight to defend its territory.

He also reminded attendees—including ambassadors from several Balkan countries and U.S. diplomats—that Greece had proposed the Thessaloniki Agenda and continues to promote the European integration of the Balkans actively.

Dendias highlighted Greece’s active involvement in regional developments and strategic partnerships with countries such as Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Armenia, India, and Bahrain, as well as all EU and Balkan states. He also mentioned Greece’s expanding relations with African nations, including Senegal, Angola, Gabon, and Rwanda.