The United States encourages the maintenance of calmness in the Aegean and the resolution of disputes in accordance with International Law, the State Department noted after the conclusion of the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
Responding to a question from the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, a State Department spokesman noted that the US presence in the Aegean combined with the cooperation of the US with Athens and Ankara strengthens NATO and helps to counter Russian aggression.

"The Turkish authorities’ decision to begin the operation of the Monastery of Chora as a Muslim mosque constitutes  a provocation for the international community as it distorts and affects its character as a UNESCO World Heritage Site belonging to humanity.The maintenance of monuments' universal character and compliance with international standards for the protection of religious and cultural heritage is a clear international obligation binding on all States", the Greek Foreign Ministry said in an announcement late Monday.

A Turkish channel reported that Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the US, which was scheduled for May 9, has been cancelled. The Turkish president was invited by Joe Biden in order to discuss critical issues such as the war in Gaza, economic and defense issues.