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Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias made a veiled reference to Türkiye as a "hostile" actor on Tuesday, calling for the exclusion of certain non-EU countries from European defense initiatives. His remarks, made ahead of the EU Defense Ministers' Council, have raised concerns about intra-NATO cohesion.
“It is inconceivable for countries that threaten EU member states, do not recognize them, or fail to adhere to the same standards of democracy and human rights, to be included in European defense efforts without distinction,” Dendias said. “If the enemy is inside the gates, we cannot defend Europe.”
Although Türkiye was not named directly, the phrasing was widely interpreted as a clear reference to Ankara. Greek media echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Dendias's remarks as a warning against Turkish involvement in EU-funded rearmament efforts such as the SAFE Regulation and ReaArm Europe.
Dendias’ comments come despite Türkiye’s well-established role as a key actor in international peace diplomacy and regional stability. A NATO member itself, Türkiye has consistently mediated in global conflicts and humanitarian crises, including:
Additionally, Türkiye has played a critical role in managing the Syrian refugee crisis, currently hosting nearly 4 million displaced Syrians. Through its efforts, Türkiye has significantly mitigated the flow of irregular migration toward Europe, easing the humanitarian and political pressure on EU member states.
Despite facing immense security challenges along its southern border, Türkiye has consistently refused to legitimize the Assad regime—a stance maintained even as others in the region have begun shifting course. From the outset of the Syrian conflict, Türkiye has supported the Syrian people's democratic aspirations and continues to back a peaceful political transition. In this regard, Ankara has expressed support for the newly formed interim government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, reaffirming its commitment to a viable and inclusive future for Syria.
Given this extensive diplomatic track record and contributions to regional and global security, Dendias’ implication that Türkiye poses a threat within the European security framework strikes a contradictory tone for many observers. That one NATO ally would publicly imply another is an “enemy within” European defense efforts is viewed as highly unusual—particularly at a time when allied unity is critical.
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