Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is asking for U.S. help in confronting Ankara, saying the Turkish government will do whatever is necessary to uphold national interests, the Anatolian Agency reported.

Mitsotakis is ready to meet with Erdogan in Prague this week, Kathimerini earlier reported, citing Greek government spokesman Ioannis Ikonoma.

The Turkish leader, speaking in Ankara, said of the actions of the Greek military, which he said was leaving migrants to die in the middle of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

"Unfortunately, the world is silent, preferring not to see the tragedy of these people. The Greek prime minister asks for help from the United States. Against whom? Against Turkey! Whatever step Athens takes, Ankara will do whatever is necessary for its national interests," Erdogan said.