For the “eyes” of the American president, Donald Trump, who is planning his business ventures in the Aegean, the seemingly positive atmosphere at yesterday’s (11/2) meeting was staged, argues Ioannis Baltzois, retired Lieutenant General and president of the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (ELISME), in his analysis on the MAGGA program of BankingNews.gr with journalist Angie Stathatou. Mr. Baltzois comments on the absence of the Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, from the Greek delegation to Ankara, an absence that was also welcomed by the Turkish media, as Mr. Dendias had provoked supporters of the Blue Homeland narrative with his statements.
“It should not have taken place”
Following Turkey’s indefinite NAVTEX, issued without coordinates, the meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan should not have taken place, Mr. Baltzois argues, particularly since the unprecedented NAVTEX was not withdrawn as a gesture of goodwill prior to the meeting. He maintains that the agreements signed are of minor importance and does not rule out the existence of a hidden agenda during the private meeting between the two leaders.
Possibility of provocation
Commenting on the tragic incident in Chios, involving the ramming of a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel by a smuggling boat, Ioannis Baltzois does not exclude the possibility of a provocation ahead of the meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and the Turkish President. Above all, however, the general criticizes the complete absence of any reference to Cyprus. “So that it appears the Cyprus issue does not concern Greece. If Cyprus is lost, the turn of the Aegean comes, and if the Aegean is lost, Greece will be lost as well.”
Kaja Kallas out of touch with reality
Shifting topics and referring to the situation in Ukraine, Mr. Baltzois presented the current frontline map, explaining that the advance of the Russian army continues and that the capture of the Donbass, even in the absence of a peace agreement, will be completed militarily by the summer of 2026. He referred to the role of Europe and the “out of touch” statements of Kaja Kallas, who suggested that with Europe’s support, Ukraine could reverse the situation on the battlefield and win the war. He also highlights the enormous risk that would arise from potential sabotage by the West and NATO in the Suwalki Corridor, in Kaliningrad, something that constitutes a red line for Moscow.
Escalation in the Middle East
Finally, the president of ELISME analyzes developments in Iran, predicting escalation in the region, as Israel is pressuring the US and Donald Trump for military intervention that may even include targeted ground operations against strategic objectives.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών