Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, called for “reason and dialogue” to prevail in relations between the European Union and the United States during his regular monthly meeting with President Konstantinos Tasoulas, warning that the world has entered a period of unprecedented geopolitical and geoeconomic turbulence.
Speaking at the Presidential Mansion in Athens on the morning of Jan. 20, Mitsotakis painted a stark picture of the international environment as 2026 begins.
“I bring you news of troubled seas,” he told the president. “2026 has started with unprecedented international geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. The bedrock principles that sustained postwar peace and prosperity are now being tested.”
Against a backdrop of rising transatlantic tensions, stemming from President Trump’s insistence that the United States ‘has to have’ Greenland and his threat to slap 10 % tariffs on European nations that oppose him, the prime minister emphasized Greece’s dual role as a strategic partner of the United States and a member of the European Union, underscoring the country’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism and international law.” “Greece has strategic relations with the U.S., but it is also a member of the EU,” Mitsotakis said. “We have fought for the defense of multilateralism and international law.”
President Konstantinos Tasoulas meets with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Presidential Mansion in Athens, Jan. 20, 2026. (Aris Oikonomou / SOOC)
He stressed that national interest must come first in the current climate, identifying as a “national priority” the strengthening of Greece’s armed forces and the country’s overall deterrent capability.
“In this environment, the interest of the homeland comes first,” he said, adding that bolstering Greece’s defense posture is essential.
Tasoulas echoed the sense of uncertainty, offering a metaphor drawn from Greek maritime history to describe how the country should navigate the present moment. Referring to historic Greek warships such as the cruiser Georgios Averof and the ancient Athenian trireme as well as Kimon the first Belharra-class frigate that was officially welcomed in Greece only a few days ago— he noted that all featured an inverted bow design suited for rough seas.
“All three showcase the technology of the inverted bow, which is the most suitable for dealing with rough waters,” the president said. “Greece, therefore, has always had the knowledge and the capabilities to successfully face turbulent seas.”
He added that leadership matters in such times.
“Our country is specialized in dealing with rough seas, and it also matters who is holding the helm at this phase,” Tasoulas told Mitsotakis. “You are the prime minister of Greece, and you are obliged to act according to the interests of the country in this turbulent period.”
President Konstantinos Tasoulas meets with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Presidential Mansion in Athens, Jan. 20, 2026. (Aris Oikonomou / SOOC)
Tasoulas stressed that Greece must safeguard both its strength and its alliances, while remaining clear-eyed about the gravity of the moment.
“Greece is meeting the challenges of a difficult moment by maintaining its strength while protecting its alliances,” he said. “It is doing so without naivety or misplaced romanticism, fully aware of the gravity of the times.”
The president made clear that Athens does not seek to disrupt relations with Washington, but that it is equally bound by constitutional principles.
“Obviously, we do not want to disrupt our relations with America,” he said. “But just as obviously, as Article 2 of our Constitution states, Greece follows the rules of international law and seeks to consolidate peace, justice and friendship among peoples.”
Tasoulas went on to say that this constitutional duty is widely understood across Greece’s political spectrum and has been repeatedly emphasized by the prime minister.
