Comment by lava_pidgeon

> not all cee countries are pro-israel

Enough are though, and the EU is robust enough to support dissent between states. The Baltics will gladly take anyone's support against Russian aggression.

> Thus Greece is protected by Article 5

Cyprus is not protected by Article 5 as it's NATO assension has been blocked by Turkiye. And Greece has been Cyprus' defense guaranteer since independence in 1960. Any attack on Cyprus is an attack on Greece as both Greeks and Cypriots are the same ethnic group and deeply tied economically, socially, and militarily.

> In addition there is Article 42 from the EU. In a.potential Cyprus - Greece - Turkey Eu has more to offer than Israel military wise

Cyprus and Greece cannot count on Article 42 as Turkiye has strong defense and commercial ties with Spain [0] and Italy [1], which leads to a timid EU response as was seen in 2024 during the Greek-Turkish naval standoff [5].

As such, Greece+Cyprus have turned to trilateral treaties with France [2], Israel, and India [3][4] as a fallback.

This is why Israel has been included in EU defense deals and partnerships - it provides a large portion of the EU defense cover while allowing the EU to bypass inter-EU conflicts.

[0] - https://www.cats-network.eu/publication/despite-the-eu-spain...

[1] - https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-italy-continue-strength...

[2] - https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFSCTA000045174545

[3] - https://geetha.mil.gr/kyklos-synomilion-staff-talks-kai-ypog...

[4] - https://www.gov.cy/proedros-proedria/koini-diakiryxi-gia-tin...

[5] - https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1245478...