Newsroom
Warm words from Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Cyprus have kicked up a storm in Turkey, where social media users erupted with anger and disappointment after Turkish outlets circulated his remarks on Monday.
The controversy began after Ambassador Nikolai Zhumakanov spoke about Kazakhstan’s decision to open a permanent embassy in the Republic of Cyprus, a step he described as “strategic” and in line with his country’s national interests. For 33 years, Kazakhstan handled Cyprus through its mission in Tel Aviv, but the decision to establish a full embassy in Nicosia marks a significant upgrade in ties.
Turkish media highlighted several points from Zhumakanov’s comments, including his characterization of Cyprus as “a very important partner for Kazakhstan within the European Union.” He also pointed to more than $4.8 billion in investments connected to Cyprus, a figure he suggested reflected deepening economic links.
That was enough to trigger a wave of reactions from Turkish users online, many of whom saw the move, and the praise, as a slight toward Ankara. Some accused Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of merely “watching from the sidelines.” Others warned that Kazakhstan’s outreach to Cyprus would harm its relations with Turkey.
Calls for a diplomatic freeze appeared in several posts, while some users expressed a sense of growing isolation, writing that “only the Kyrgyz and Turkmen peoples sympathize with us.”
For Cyprus, the new embassy is viewed as a fresh chapter in relations with Central Asia. For Kazakhstan, it appears to be a calculated diplomatic step. And for many Turkish users, it was a surprise that didn’t sit well at all.
