President Anastasiades: The international community must work for a ceasefire

"Cyprus fully understands the plight of Ukraine and its people, who are themselves victims of foreign invasion and continued occupation of their territories and under the constant threat of Turkey," said President Nicos Anastasiadis during yesterday's dinner with leaders of the EU Member States, held in the framework of the Informal Meeting of the European Council, in Versailles.

He further added that it was crucial for the international community to work to secure, as soon as possible, a ceasefire agreement that would end the bloodshed and pave the way for negotiations, while noting that Turkey, a candidate country for EU membership, refuses to comply with sanctions against Russia.

According to a statement from the Presidency, Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos, said that the situation in Ukraine was discussed in detail at the dinner and that the President of the Republic once again condemned Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, underlining Cyprus' support and solidarity with Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also noted that Cyprus, which is itself a victim of foreign invasion and continued occupation of its territories and being under constant threat from Turkey, fully understands the plight of Ukraine and its people, especially the civilians and people who are seeking refuge.

The President also said that despite the significant cost to the economies of EU member states and countries due to sanctions against Russia, adherence to international law and respect for the territorial integrity of EU states and all other states are absolute and without question.

However, at the same time, he pointed out that Turkey, a candidate country for EU membership, refuses to align itself with sanctions, thus taking advantage of the situation economically, but also undermining the intended effectiveness of sanctions, which has long been popular. method, the spokesman noted.

Referring to the wave of refugees from Ukraine, President Anastasiadis said that more than three thousand Ukrainian refugees have already arrived in Cyprus and are being hosted, noting that Cyprus also supports all efforts to ensure continued access to humanitarian aid missions.

President Anastasiadis also mentioned that, as a result of the immediate mobilization of the Cypriot people, Cyprus sent symbolic financial aid to Kyiv, while last Tuesday, the first batch of humanitarian aid, which included medical products, food and civil protection equipment was sent.