The geopolitical tension is rising between Paris and Ankara over Greece and Cyprus. Emmanuel Macron has hinted on several occasions in recent months that France’s nuclear umbrella could be extended to some European partners, a promise and a guarantee that Greece sees. “We will be here for you if your sovereignty is threatened,” the French president hammered on April 25 during a visit to Athens. The two countries renewed their strategic partnership in defense and security, signed in 2021.
“Macron threatens Turkey with nuclear weapons!” exclaimed a famous editorialist from the Islamic-nationalist daily Yeni Safak. Turkey and Greece have complicated relationships due to a conflicted history and disagreements over the delimitation of their territorial waters in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. They have repeatedly threatened to escalate into a confrontation between the two NATO members. “France has lost its geopolitical influence, whether in Africa or the Middle East,” claims Yeni Safak, which calls for conquering western Thrace and the Greek islands off the coast of Turkey in response.
Most importantly, the prospect of a deal between Cyprus and France in June is looming.
