French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Cyprus on Monday to show solidarity with the EU island nation after a drone attack last week, which raised fears that Cyprus may be dragged into the wider Middle East crisis.
The leaders met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Paphos, a coastal city in southwestern Cyprus. The visit aims to secure freedom of navigation and coordinate the safety and repatriation of European citizens in high-risk areas.
Following the drone strike targeting the British bases at RAF Akrotiri last Monday, Greece deployed the frigates HS Kimon and HS Psara to patrol Cyprus’ southern coast, along with four fighter jets, to support the island’s defense.
France has sent the frigate Languedoc, along with ground-based anti-drone and anti-missile defenses, and the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is expected to arrive in the Eastern Mediterranean in the coming days. Warships from Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain are also anticipated, while the UK destroyer HMS Dragon is expected later this week.
Mitsotakis: “Our actions are purely defensive”
In a joint press briefing by the three leaders, Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized that while Greece would have stood by Cyprus even in isolation, the current crisis has mobilized a broader European defense.
“Our actions are purely defensive,” Mitsotakis stated, clarifying that the deployment of Greek F-16s and naval assets is aimed solely at “defensive shielding” and deterrence rather than military involvement. He sent a firm warning that “every inch of European soil is inviolable.” Greece has made Cyprus’s security its primary national priority, highlighting that the island’s stability is vital for the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
He called for a more “tangible” demonstration of European solidarity, including the reinforcement of Operation Aspides (the EU’s maritime shield) to protect shipping lanes. Mitsotakis urged the international community to shift focus toward Lebanon to prevent a larger-scale war and addressed the need for stability to manage potential new refugee flows.
Macron: “An attack on Cyprus is an attack on Europe”
President Macron reaffirmed France’s role as a security guarantor in the region, having already dispatched the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the frigate Languedoc to Cypriot waters. “Whoever attacks Cyprus, attacks Europe,” Macron declared. He stressed that France’s presence is a matter of “full solidarity” and a strategic necessity.
Macron’s primary objectives remain de-escalation and the absolute protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. As France holds the G7 Presidency for 2026, Macron announced a new coordination effort within the G7 to address energy stability, which has been severely pressured by the ongoing conflict.
Christodoulides: “Unity is Europe’s strength”
President Nikos Christodoulides, while welcoming the support, reminded the international community of Cyprus’s unique and painful history. “We are not involved in military operations,” Christodoulides clarified. “We remain committed to our humanitarian role as a bridge of cooperation between Europe and the Middle East.”
He poignantly noted that Cyprus “knows very well what war means,” as it remains a victim of illegal invasion and ongoing occupation. He urged the European Union to engage “more actively and coherently” with the region, noting that any event in the Middle East has an immediate and direct impact on European security.
Related: Greece and Cyprus Reactivate Common Defense Doctrine
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