Turkey has apparently taken a step towards deescalation in the disputed Mediterranean waters by pulling back its drilling ship from southwest of Cyprus ahead of a planned visit by NATO chief. 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said his country strongly backed talks between Greece and Turkey to de-escalate tensions over energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says Athens is ready for a “significant de-escalation” in the eastern Mediterranean if Turkey stops its “provocative actions” in the area.