Turkey Must Halt Its Provocative Behavior, Otherwise Sanctions Will Be Inevitable, Says Greek Prime Minister

In connection with Turkey's drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, EU leaders have sent a strong warning to the country. This was announced today by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as reported by Ekathimerini.

"Sanctions against Turkey are not an end in themselves," said Mitsotakis, adding that "if Turkey does not cease its provocative behavior, the EU will respond with sanctions."

“Europe is united and supports Greece and Cyprus,” he further added.

Earlier, EU leaders had agreed on a decision to expand existing individual sanctions against Turkey for its illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrel, has also been tasked with working towards convening an international conference on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean by March 2021 and drafting a report on relations with Turkey.

As previously reported by Reuters, citing its sources, U.S. sanctions against Turkey, which are set to be implemented due to Ankara's acquisition of Russian S-400s, may target Turkey's Defense Industry Directorate and its head Ismail Demir. An announcement regarding the sanctions is expected in the coming days.