Blinken to Juggle Athens and Ankara: Greece and Turkey Await US Secretary's Busy Saturday

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is about to embark on a diplomatic tightrope walk, with visits to both Greece and Turkey scheduled for the same day, Saturday.

According to sources cited by Kathimerini's Washington correspondent Lena Argiri, Blinken will land in Athens for a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis before hopping over to Ankara for talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

This whirlwind itinerary promises a day of intense bilateral and regional discussions, with Blinken facing the delicate task of navigating the complex ties between these two strategic allies. In Athens, he's likely to address issues ranging from Greek concerns over Turkish actions in the Aegean to the ongoing saga of Turkey's bid to join the EU. Meanwhile, in Ankara, the agenda might involve discussions on the war in Ukraine, the Kurdish conflict, and the ever-sensitive F-16 fighter jet saga.

Blinken's ability to walk this diplomatic tightrope and foster constructive dialogue between Greece and Turkey could have significant regional stability and security implications. His visit underscores the crucial role the US plays in this intricate geopolitical landscape, and all eyes will be on the messages he delivers and the agreements he seeks to forge in both Athens and Ankara.