Greece views the possible U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey negatively. This was stated by the country's defense minister, Nikos Dendias, who emphasized that Athens sees such a move as a threat to stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Kathimerini reports.

"To be frank: Greece is not happy that Turkey may receive F-35s. We also do not welcome the supply of engines for next-generation aircraft to Turkey," Dendias said at a conference organized by The Economist magazine in Athens.

According to him, the decision to sell weapons is the sovereign right of the United States; however, Athens is asking whether it serves Washington’s strategic interests.

"If such a military platform is transferred to one country in the Eastern Mediterranean without clear guarantees that it will not be used against another NATO ally, does that serve U.S. interests?" the minister noted.

On the eve of the NATO summit in Ankara, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of lifting sanctions on Turkey to pave the way for the sale of F-35s.

However, the deal still faces serious legal obstacles. After Ankara purchased Russian S-400 air defense systems, the U.S. Congress banned the delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, concluding that the Russian systems pose a security threat to American technologies.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, commenting on Trump’s statements at the NATO summit, did not directly criticize the U.S. president, but stressed that the alliance’s unity must be based on respect for international law and consideration of the interests of all NATO member states.