Russia's special military offensive against Ukraine may not be the only one on European soil. Turkey, a country that has so far shown itself to be a middle ground between the two sides of the conflict (several peace talks have been held there), is now threatening Greece with "sudden" military action if the Greeks continue to maintain what Ankara considers a "defiant stance" in the Aegean.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed himself with these words: "Greece, look at history! If it continues like this, the price you will pay will be high, very high."
Erdogan made this statement during a speech at a technology fair in Samsun, where Turkish-made armed drones were exhibited.
The President of Turkey has warned that "when the day and time comes, we will do what is necessary".
"We can come suddenly, during one night, whatever", Erdogan said.
In recent months, the tension between Turkey and Greece has increased. Ankara accuses Athens of "militarizing" the Aegean islands, through the transfer of troops and artillery. Some actions that, in Turkey's view, violate the 1923 Lausanne and 1947 Paris treaties. In June, Erdogan's government threatened to "question Greek sovereignty" over the islands.
Greece's response to this verbal attack was to reiterate its right to defend itself against Turkey's "expansionist" stance.
While Erdogan pointed out an event that happened in 1923: "We have only one sentence for Greece: don't forget Izmir."
That year, Turkey expelled Greek troops from this Aegean city.
Last week, in commemoration of this battle, Erdogan noted that his country "threw the infidels into the sea in Izmir".
To date, none of the countries have territorial claims in the Aegean, except for a few islands that are uninhabited. However, on a regular basis, the Greeks and Turks are challenged over the limits of airspace corresponding to territorial waters.