Dendias Fires Back at Ankara: “We Protect the Obvious — the Casus Belli Is Not a Fantasy”

Greece’s Ministry of National Defense issued a sharply worded response to Ankara’s latest statements, placing the spotlight back on deterrence, sovereignty, and the longstanding Turkish casus belli against Greece. Athens made clear that its actions are neither aggressive nor destabilizing — they are necessary.

Athens: We Act Out of Duty, Not Escalation

According to official sources from the Greek Ministry of Defense:

• Greece is “obligated to maintain its deterrent capability” in a volatile geopolitical environment.
• This deterrence cannot be misinterpreted as provocation by anyone.
• The Ministry underlined that Greece cannot ignore the explicitly declared Turkish casus belli — the threat of war issued by Turkey if Greece extends its territorial waters.
• Athens emphasizes that Greece threatens no one and remains firmly committed to the UN Charter, International Law, and the Law of the Sea.

In short: Greece is acting lawfully and defensively — not aggressively.

Ankara’s Counterattack: “Greek Actions Are Detached From Reality”

Turkey’s Ministry of Defense issued a direct and hostile response, naming Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias personally.

According to the Turkish statement:

• Greece’s new defense doctrine and military upgrades constitute acts that “increase tensions.”
• Turkish officials accused Greek leaders of making “fantasy statements detached from reality,” violating international treaties.
• Turkey claims it seeks a peaceful Aegean but insists it will eliminate any threat directed at it.
• The ministry warned that Greek defense initiatives “harm the positive climate” created earlier between the two nations.

In essence, Ankara frames Greek deterrence as aggression — while maintaining its own military posture as “defensive.”

The Real Issue: The Long Shadow of the Casus Belli

This Greek–Turkish confrontation cannot be understood without recognizing the central fault line:

Turkey’s parliament still maintains the official threat of war (casus belli) against Greece.

This “red line” dictates nearly every diplomatic and military exchange between the two states.

• For Greece, the casus belli justifies strengthening island defenses.
• For Turkey, Greek defensive measures are portrayed as a breach of treaties.
• For Europe and NATO, it represents a permanent instability within the Alliance.

The result: every move becomes a geopolitical earthquake risk.

Dendias and the New Greek Defense Doctrine

Dendias has repeatedly stressed that Greece:

• will modernize its deterrent posture,
• will fortify its islands,
• will not negotiate under threats,
• and will inform NATO and the EU that Turkey’s stance directly compromises regional security.

These moves have angered Ankara, which claims Greek systems such as upgraded missile deployments “militarize” islands in violation of treaties.

Turkish media even escalated the rhetoric to near-war levels, calling Greek defense actions a potential “litmus test” that could “force Ankara to respond.”

Strategic Reading: What’s Really Happening in the Aegean

1. Greece signals strategic confidence. By invoking the casus belli publicly, Athens is placing Turkey on the diplomatic defensive.

2. Turkey signals strategic insecurity. The harsh tone of its statements suggests frustration with Greece’s strengthening alliances and military systems.

3. NATO faces a dilemma. Two member states are drifting — again — toward serious confrontation.

4. The regional balance is shifting. Missile systems, drone networks, and air-defense modernization are reshaping the military map of the Aegean.

Where Does This Lead?

Greece is now making it unmistakably clear:“Deterrence is our right. Sovereignty is non-negotiable. The casus belli is real — and we will not pretend it isn’t.”

Turkey, meanwhile, warns that it will “neutralize any threat,” maintaining a defensive posture with offensive undertones.

The Aegean remains one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints — a place where one statement, one deployment, or one miscalculation could reshape regional security overnight.

Source: pagenews.gr