US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the prospect of a serious Greek-Turkish crisis as “unthinkable”, while confirming US support for the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection and saying Washington intends to use its diplomatic influence to advance the project.
Speaking in an interview with Kathimerini and journalist Alexis Papahelas, Rubio said Washington supports the subsea electricity cable and intends to pursue diplomatic initiatives aimed at facilitating its implementation.
Referring to the interconnector, Rubio stressed that diversifying energy sources is a strategic priority for the United States, particularly following the war in Ukraine and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
“We understand that there are some potential obstacles,” he said, adding that the United States intends to use its diplomatic influence to remind “all parties” of the project’s importance.
Rubio added that such issues are generally better addressed through discreet diplomatic engagement rather than public intervention.
‘We could never allow it’
Asked about the possibility of serious tensions between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean or Cyprus, Rubio was categorical.
“For me, it would be unthinkable for something like this to happen. These are two allies and partners in NATO,” he said.
Rubio argued that such a development would serve neither Greece nor Turkey, nor the United States.
“It is something unthinkable to me, something we could never allow to happen and which I do not believe will happen,” he said.
No F-35s without solution on S-400s
Asked about the possibility of Turkey acquiring F-35 fighter jets, Rubio said restrictions imposed by the US Congress remain in force.
Although President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to examine the issue, Rubio explained that the existing legislative framework and specific provisions in the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prevent the programme from moving forward while the issue involving Turkey’s Russian S-400 missile systems remains unresolved.
“Until those conditions are met, the sale cannot take place,” he said.
Rubio added that Ankara is aware of the framework currently in place and that efforts are being made to find a solution.
So far, however, no agreement has been reached that would allow the process for Turkey’s return to the F-35 programme to resume.
Source: Kathimerini
