Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has held a flurry of phone calls with foreign leaders in recent days, exchanging views on the escalating military operations in the Middle East and joining a wider diplomatic effort to coordinate responses among European governments and countries across the region.
Among Thursday’s contacts, one stood out: his conversation with Emmanuel Macron, President of France. The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, March 10, on the sidelines of the 2nd Nuclear Energy Summit, which Macron is hosting in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the nuclear submarines Navy base Ile Longue in Crozon, France, March 2, 2026. Yoan Valat /Pool via REUTERS
Talks on Iran, Cyprus and Lebanon
According to information released after the call, the two leaders discussed the latest developments involving Iran, Cyprus and Lebanon.
Mitsotakis briefed Macron on the defense assistance Greece is providing to Cyprus, and both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and coordination regarding developments across the broader region.
Diplomatic sources say the conversation is part of a broader European initiative led by Macron aimed at shaping a common European stance on the Middle East crisis, focusing particularly on safeguarding maritime security and maintaining stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Meeting with Gabriel Attal
A similar agenda reportedly dominated Mitsotakis’ meeting at the Greek prime minister’s office, the Maximos Mansion in Athens, with former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
Attal currently serves as secretary-general of the Renaissance party, the political movement founded by President Macron.
Gabriel Attal, former French Prime Minister and Secretary General of the Renaissance political Party, attends a debate on ecological transition and environmental issues during the World Impact Summit in Paris, France, February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Calls with Cyprus and Egypt
On Thursday, Mitsotakis also spoke with Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt, as part of ongoing consultations on the regional situation.
The Sánchez Debate and the Spanish Frigate
Meanwhile, officials at the Maximos Mansion expressed satisfaction over the announcement by the Spanish Ministry of Defense that the frigate “Cristóbal Colón” will be deployed to Cyprus.
The vessel will accompany the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and Greek warships already operating in the region following an attack by a drone on a British military base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The decision has also entered Greece’s domestic political debate.
Responding to criticism from opposition parties asking “why Greece doesn’t act like Pedro Sánchez,” the Prime Minister’s aides offered a pointed reply.
First, they argued, critics should look at the map of Europe and consider the difference between Spain’s geographic position and Greece’s.
“The answer is not directed at Spain but at domestic skeptics—ideological skeptics,” government officials said.
Second—and more importantly—they stressed that Spain does not face neighbors with revisionist ambitions, while Greece does.
For that reason, they added, Athens places particular importance on maintaining strong international alliances.
