Greece Faces Pressure to Boost Military Aid to Ukraine

• NATO allies urge Athens to transfer or sell Mirage 2000-5 fighters for Ukraine’s defense.
• U.S. and France lead calls for “more than token” support, as Eastern Europe warns of urgency.
• Greece resists, preferring to send older systems and citing security tensions with Turkey.

Greece is under renewed pressure from NATO and EU partners to increase its military support to Ukraine by transferring its fleet of Mirage 2000-5 fighters, Kathimerini reports. The U.S., France, and several Eastern European countries want Athens to contribute modern systems instead of aging equipment.

Athens has so far preferred to provide older arms, such as 1960s-era M-110 howitzers. Officials say any Mirage sale could go through intermediaries like France, Germany, or Estonia, which would later transfer aircraft to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the European Political Community summit that Europe’s defense “must extend beyond NATO’s eastern flank.”

Backstory and Reactions

Greece’s hesitation comes amid security tensions with Turkey and domestic opposition to deeper involvement in the war. Athens argues that sending advanced systems could weaken its defenses in the Aegean, where Ankara continues to dispute maritime boundaries.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged EU partners to supply additional aircraft, saying that modern fighters are essential to deter Russian missile and drone attacks. Kyiv has thanked states like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway for agreeing to send F-16s, calling on others to follow suit.

EU leaders, meanwhile, are pressing for broader participation in joint defense initiatives, including the €150 billion SAFE program for arms procurement. France and Germany are reportedly open to allowing Turkey limited participation, a move Greece strongly opposes.

What is the SAFE Program?

The Strategic Assistance for European Armament Facility (SAFE) is a €150 billion EU defense initiative launched in 2025 to boost the continent’s collective arms production and reduce reliance on U.S. weapon systems.

The program aims to:

• Coordinate procurement of ammunition, missiles, and air defense systems among EU members.
• Fund joint research and industrial capacity, particularly for critical munitions and drone technology.
• Ensure faster resupply to Ukraine and strengthen Europe’s own defense readiness.

SAFE replaces earlier fragmented efforts like the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). It is jointly administered by the European Commission and the European Defence Agency, with funding partly drawn from windfall profits on frozen Russian assets.

Supporters,  led by France and Germany, describe it as the foundation of a “European defense pillar.” Critics warn that smaller states may struggle to access funds or compete with major arms producers.