The Hellenic Wire

Category: Trump Administration

  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine visited NSA Souda Bay in Greece, @TheJointStaff announced on @X.

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  • Turkish President Erdogan met with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, as announced by @Communications on @X.

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  • Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, @GreeceMFA announced on @X.

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  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke via phone today with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, as announced by a @StateDept press release.

    Secretary Rubio thanked Foreign Minister Kombos for a longstanding partnership between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.

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  • Behind-the-scenes efforts have been intensifying rapidly in recent days towards a potential visit by Turkish President Erdogan to the White House, as reported by @LenaArgiri for @eKathimerini.

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  • U.S. @SecDef @PeteHegseth emphasized that the U.S. and Greece share a longstanding and robust defense partnership, crediting much to Greece’s commitment to allied priorities, including NATO missions, defense spending, and support for U.S. Forces, as reported by @ToVimacom.

    @SecDef also highlighted the pivotal role of Souda Bay Naval Base in Crete, and reaffirmed @DeptofDefense’s dedication to deepening cooperation with Greece and expressed optimism about the relationship’s future, referencing participation in the F-35 fighter jet program.

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  • Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington, within the framework of the Türkiye-USA Working Group on Syria, @MFATurkiye announced on @X.

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  • Türkiye will move through the CAATSA sanctions process faster, and already sees a softening of U.S. posture, Turkish President @RTErdogan says, as reported by @LenaArgiri via @YunusPaksoy.

    President Erdogan has discussed it with President Trump and Ambassador Barrack and describes a constructive, open relationship with the U.S. president, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Greek Orthodox Archbishop @Elpidophoros of America has been appointed to the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders for President Donald J. Trump’s newly established Religious Liberty Commission, @Orthodox_Times reports.

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  • Turkish Foreign Minister @HakanFidan hosted the Türkiye-U.S.-Syria trilateral meeting, attended by U.S. Secretary of State @SecRubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers in Antalya, @MFATurkiye announced on @X.

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  • Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan met with U.S. Secretary of State @SecRubio on the margins of the Informal Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Antalya, as announced by @MFATurkiye on @X.

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  • Turkish President @RTErdogan received U.S. Ambassador Thomas Joseph Barrack, Jr. at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, as announced by @TRPresidency on @X.

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  • Turkish Ambassador to the United States Sedat Önal met with U.S. Under Secreatary of Defense Elbridge Colby yesterday, @USDPColby announced on @X. Under Secretary Colby referred to Türkiye as an “important ally.”

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  • Turkish President @RTErdogan spoke by phone with @POTUS Donald J. Trump, @TRPresidency announced on @X.

    President @RTErdogan also invited @POTUS Trump to visit Türkiye, the announcement stated.

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  • U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Davis (@USAmbCY) has been named Chargé d’Affaires to Ukraine while retaining her post in Cyprus, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye @TomBarrackJr has been confirmed by a Senate vote of 60-36, @SenateCloakroom announced on @X.

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  • Deputy United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus met today with Cypriot Ambassador to the United States @ecsavva, as announced by @StateDept_NEA on @X.

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  • Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos @Pierrakakis met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Greek Minister of Finance Kyriakos @Pierrakakis held a meeting today at the White House with @MKratsios47, Director of @WHOSTP47, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Athens in October to lead the American delegation at the sixth round of the U.S.–Greece Strategic Dialogue, as reported by @PetrosKas for @ToVimaCom.

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  • A U.S. interagency team will visit the Republic of Cyprus as part of “an ongoing evaluation of the stringent security requirements necessary for the Republic of Cyprus to enter into the United States Visa Waiver Program,” as announced by the @USEmbassyCyprus.

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  • President Trump @POTUS reacted to @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis’ statements on U.S. tariffs, stating “I know him, he is a good man. I appreciate his comments. Yes, a deal can be made with any one of them. There will be fair deals with everybody,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Israeli Foreign Minister @GidonSaar spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Israel @GovMikeHuckabee to congratulate him on his confirmation, he announced on @X.

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  • Cypriot Foreign Minister @CKombos met with @MorganOrtagus, U.S. Deputy Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, he announced on @X.

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  • In a meeting with Israeli President Netanyahu, @POTUS addresses Netanyahu’s remarks on tensions with Türkiye, stating “any problem that you have with Turkey, I think I can solve,” as reported by @PetrosKas.

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  • President Trump @POTUS stated “I have great relationship with @RTErdogan and I like him and I know the press is going to get very angry with me,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Greek @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis said Greece “will play a leading role within the European Union” in shaping their response to 20% U.S. tariffs, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan met with U.S. Secretary of State @SecRubio on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, in Brussels, @MFATurkiye announced on @X.

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  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) stated that it is a bipartisan position that Türkiye, under CAATSA, should not get F-35s due to their acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems.

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  • Ankara has formally requested a White House visit for President @RTErdogan, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • The nominee for US Ambassador to Türkiye, @TomBarrackJr, will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, after a schedule change that was “decided late last night with a sense of urgency,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

    @TomBarrackJr stated that Türkiye has the potential to be “a new spice road,” and aims at increasing bilateral trade from ~$40 billion to @POTUS’ goal of $100 billion.

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  • Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) (@RepGregoryMeeks), Ranking Member of @HouseForeign, stated that “the F-35s will not go to Turkey. We’re going to make sure that Greece continues the strategic advance that it has,” as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • A delegation of Turkish officials will travel to Washington next week to start technical-level discussions with the US regarding the CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye, @Reuters reported, as stated by @MiddleEastMnt.

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  • The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (@USCIRF) included Türkiye on the list of countries recommended for the U.S. @StateDept’s Special Watch List in its 2025 Annual Report.

    @USCIRF recommends that the U.S. government include Türkiye on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act.

    @USCIRF recommends that the U.S. government raise with the Turkish government restrictions on clerical institutions including the Theological School of Halki, stressing full compliance with European Court of Human Rights rulings on freedom of religion or belief.

    @USCIRF found that Türkiye delayed and obstructed residency permits for foreign clergy, which further constrained the Eastern Orthodox Church, who has been unable to domestically train clergy since 1971.

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  • There was a “notable shift in tone” from the @StateDept, who are “now leaving the door slightly open” to Türkiye’s re-entry into the F-35 program, as reported by @PetrosKas.

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  • On the issue of CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye, @StateDept did not continue to affirm that their position remains unchanged, which has the potential to indicate a policy shift, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • The conversation between @POTUS and @RTErdogan conversation lasted only 7 minutes, and President Trump simply stated that he would “look into” the Turkish requests, as reported by @LenaArgiri of @eKathimerini.

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  • Sources in Washington say @POTUS may receive a briefing from the @StateDept about lifting CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye and the potential F-35 sale this week, as reported by @LenaArgiri in @eKathimerini.

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  • This afternoon, @POTUS referred to Türkiye as a “good place,” with a “good leader,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) expressed concerns regarding recent arrests and protests in Türkiye to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (@HakanFidan), he stated on @X.

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  • In today’s meeting, @SecRubio and @HakanFidan discussed collaboration on trade, security, peace in Ukraine, supporting Syria against destabilizing Iranian activities, and concerns regarding recent arrests and protests in Türkiye, @SecRubio announced on @X.

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  • Greek American @MKratsios47 has been confirmed as the Director of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (@WHOSTP47) by a Senate vote of 74-25, as announced by @RapidResponse47.

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  • After meeting with @SecRubio at the @StateDept, @MFATurkiye Minister @HakanFidan departed without offering a statement, as reported by @MIgnatiou.

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  • The meeting between @SecRubio and @HakanFidan at the @StateDept in DC has begun, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • “America is inextricably tied to both ancient and modern Greece. We are tethered by history and tradition, the struggle for self-governance, emancipation, and rebirth,” @POTUS proclaimed on the occasion of Greek Independence Day.

    “Greece is one of our Nation’s oldest friends, strategic partners, and a valued NATO ally,” continued the @POTUS proclamation.

    “We appreciate the support of @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis in our economic and diplomatic partnership as we forge opportunities for collaboration in key sectors including energy, science, technology, shipping, logistics, and defense,” continued the @POTUS proclamation.

    “The permanent presence of naval forces in @NSA_SoudaBay and bilateral training events enhance warfighting capabilities and reflect our mutual commitment to joint military cooperation as a cornerstone of security and stability in Europe,” continued the @POTUS proclamation.

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  • “We welcome Greece’s commitment to defense spending to modernize its armed forces, which strengthens our collective defense and deters threats to our shared security,” @SecRubio stated, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • “Greek Americans have blessed our country with exceptional courage, patriotism, and tremendous skill. Under this administration we will continue to honor the virtues, ideals, and spirit of this magnificent heritage,” @POTUS said at the @WhiteHouse today.

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  • At the @WhiteHouse today, @POTUS called attention to Greek American leaders including @MichaelKratsios, @CMarafatsos, @MikeHaridopolos, @JimmyPatronis, and @Reince.

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  • Turkish Foreign Minister @HakanFidan will travel to Washington on Tuesday on a two-day official visit, where he will hold talks with @SecRubio and other officials, according to a report by @TRTWorld.

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  • “As European leaders shamelessly lecture President Trump about the sanctity of Ukraine’s borders, their own hypocrisy is on full display as they continue to ignore Turkey’s 50-year occupation of Cyprus,” writes @JKal1985 and George Demos, as seen in the @BostonHerald.

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  • Reports have circulated in Washington that officials were exploring legal and political avenues to make it feasible to lift the sanctions imposed on Turkey for its acquisition of Russian weapons, should @POTUS decide to do so, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • The Trump Administration via @StateDeptSpox on the arrest of Istanbul Mayor: “We would encourage Turkey to respect human rights… we’re not going to comment on the… internal decision-making of another country,” as reported by @ShaunTandon of @AFP.

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  • Introducing the Hellenic Wire: an automated stream of news developments pertaining to #Greece, #Cyprus, #Turkiye, and the #EastMed.

    Reviewed by experts. Powered by @TheAHIinDC.

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