Heading Copenhagen Defense Autonomy in Focus:Mitsotakis Champions European Solutions Amidst Unstable World

At a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with Ukraine remaining at the forefront of European concerns and Russian provocations threatening the eastern borders of the EU, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis steps forward as an active advocate for the need for a common European defense. He travels to Copenhagen carrying clear positions and strategic proposals.

His participation in the informal EU Summit of the 27, as well as the upcoming European Political Community meeting, fits within a broader framework of Greece’s international presence — just days after his intervention at the UN General Assembly in New York. There, he did not shy away from criticizing Ankara’s continued threat of casus belli, while simultaneously positioning Greece as a pillar of stability and dialogue in the Eastern Mediterranean.

From Ukraine to European Defense

Discussions in Copenhagen are expected to revolve around enhancing Europe’s collective defense capabilities by 2030, as outlined in a letter from European Council President António Costa. Greece, through the voice of its Prime Minister, advocates the creation of a European common borrowing mechanism to finance strategically important defense projects — with special emphasis, as Mitsotakis pointed out, on missile defense and protection against drones, sectors deemed vital for European security.

Greece’s stance is not merely reactive but seeks to shape the European agenda. Athens is investing strategically in its defense autonomy, rapidly upgrading its arsenal: as the Prime Minister recently highlighted, 42 upgraded F-16s, 24 Rafale jets, upcoming Belharra frigates, and the expected arrival of F-35s in 2028 form the backbone of the nation’s new defense landscape.

Ankara’s Geopolitical Isolation and Greece’s Steady Compass

The much-anticipated meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdoğan in New York did not materialize, raising questions and sparking political criticism domestically. However, the Prime Minister was quick to respond, emphasizing the need for genuine dialogue and stressing — with diplomatic clarity — that the time has come for Turkey to withdraw the casus belli threat.

Erdoğan’s absence from Copenhagen reinforces the perception that Ankara currently chooses geopolitical isolation from European discussions. Meanwhile, Greece continues to build broader strategic alliances — from the Eastern Mediterranean to the US and the EU — focusing not only on defense but also on exploiting its energy resources through partnerships with global industry giants.

Economy and Arms: The New Narrative of Power

The Mitsotakis government links economic stability with defense enhancement. “Our strong economy and debt reduction enable the largest defense procurement program in our history,” the Prime Minister stressed, crafting a new narrative: that of a self-reliant and strong Greece, independent in decision-making and investment in its security and European defense.

 Greece as a Reliable Pillar of European Strategic Defense

Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s presence in Copenhagen is not merely symbolic. It confirms Greece’s effort to play an active role in shaping European defense, reintroduce the issue of Turkish provocations at a European level, and showcase its national strategic autonomy plan. In an era when Europe’s defense lines are being redrawn and alliances tested, Greece emerges as a pillar of stability, seriousness, and readiness.

Source: pagenews.gr