Cypriot President holds quiet meeting with Trump associate ahead of U.S. elections

Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides recently met with a close associate of Donald Trump at the Presidential Palace to discuss potential shifts in Cyprus-U.S. relations if Trump were to win the U.S. election. The meeting, held at the request of Trump’s associate, was revealed by President Christodoulides himself in an upcoming interview scheduled to air on the state broadcaster today and tomorrow.

According to Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Trump’s associate was in Cyprus for unrelated reasons but took the opportunity to meet with the President. While declining to identify the associate, Letymbiotis clarified it was not former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He added that their discussion centered on the strong, evolving relationship between Cyprus and the United States, emphasizing that this partnership would remain steady, regardless of any future changes in U.S. leadership.

"Relations between Cyprus and the U.S., especially following the Strategic Dialogue agreement, have entered a new phase," Letymbiotis said, stressing that the partnership reflects shared goals that are expected to persist beyond shifts in the U.S. administration. He noted that ties between the two countries, which began to strengthen under Trump with a signed statement of intent involving Pompeo, have since deepened under the Biden administration.

Christodoulides, who congratulated Trump on X (formerly Twitter) following his election, expressed optimism about continuing the progress made in recent years to build a strong Cyprus-U.S. strategic partnership, aiming to reinforce transatlantic relations. The President’s message highlighted Cyprus’s commitment to bolstering its alignment with the U.S., focusing on security and defense partnerships amid changing global dynamics.

Congratulations US President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your election victory. I look forward to continue working on expanding and reinforcing the strategic partnership between Cyprus and the US, and advancing our transatlantic relationship

— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) November 6, 2024