Cyprus and Russia: Strong Ties in a New Context

Cyprus-Russia relations are driven by interest, geopolitics and culture. Since the Republic of Cyprus’ founding, this relationship has been steadily growing, with some dramatic moments in the early 1960s to do with domestic intercommunal conflict and Turkey’s intention to change the status quo on the island. Russia saw in Cyprus a trustworthy non-aligned small state that should never come under NATO’s sphere of influence. Nicosia saw in Moscow a committed friend that would be able to thwart plans by foreign powers to divide the island. In the aftermath of Turkey’s 1974 military invasion, Russia supported the case of Cyprus in UN Security Council. Russia remains the major market for defence procurement in essential military equipment and supplies.