Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis is in Thessaloniki, Greece, where earlier today he visited the construction sites for the overground Flyover expressway and the Thessaloniki University Pediatric Hospital.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated this afternoon via teleconference in the new summit of leaders convened by Emmanuel Macron on Ukraine and is currently discussing political developments with journalist Vangelis Plaka as part of the “Thessaloniki Summit 2025”.

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He added, “I am particularly pleased that the President of the European Commission has now officially recognized the need to grant more fiscal flexibility to member states, so they can spend more resources on defense.” As he explained, “We have reached a point where Europe is finally showing signs that it will address the issues of the continent’s competitiveness.”

He continued: “Now, with the developments in Ukraine, the time has come for us to make decisions, and I believe the next European Council, the regular European Council, will be one of the most critical, because we will be called to approve and shape proposals from the European Commission. These proposals will allow us to finally confront these challenges and ensure that we are not merely passive observers of developments, but that we can align our economic strength with our geopolitical footprint.”

“I believed, and still believe, in the necessity of the transatlantic alliance. We need to speak with the United States, but that does not mean we will agree on everything. We cannot claim that in one or two years the EU will replace the US. We must be realistic,” he said, referring to the relationship Brussels must maintain with Washington.

Regarding energy, he said he expects the Commission President to propose ways to reduce costs in Europe. “If initiatives are not taken on this structural issue, we will not remain competitive within the EU.”

When asked about the political climate in Greece and the comments made in Parliament with opposition hints, Mr. Mitsotakis stated, “This is not polarization but a vulgar toxicity. It’s about dragging the political life into the mud and causing destabilization. What is happening goes beyond any limit. Enough with this filth. It must stop; we cannot continue in this atmosphere.”

“I want to send a clear message. My goal is to keep the country’s ship steady amid these developments. I am still waiting for the opposition’s vote of no confidence. Let’s talk, and let the masks fall.”