Russian Ambassador leaves Cyprus after 9 years

After 9 years of service in the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation in Nicosia, Stanislav Osaci leaves Cyprus. The Russian diplomat completes his term in Nicosia and his departure may take place in April. The Russian ambassador to Nicosia is one of the longest-serving diplomats to remain in the post of ambassador to Cyprus.

Specifically, Mr. Osatsi took office on June 3, 2013 and instead of 5 years as the term of office of Russian ambassadors abroad, he remained for 9 years. Mr. Osaci is the second longest-serving ambassador of the former USSR and Russia to Cyprus. The first was during the Soviet era Sergey Astavin, who served in Cyprus from July 7, 1973 to July 31, 1986.

During his tenure, Mr. Osachi provoked several reactions with his public interventions and daily reports from the press on his characterization of Moscow as the "guardian" of Cyprus.

The latest infamous case was what he said in his TV appearance on Sigma TV about the EU sanctions on Russia. Specifically, the Russian diplomat came under fire for his reference to the consequences that Cyprus will have from the imposition of sanctions. "How will Cyprus have Russian tourists?  They will not come. They will go to Turkey. Is that what you want? They will spend their money there. Summer is coming. You closed the airspace of Cyprus. You shot yourselves in the foot.  And we do not want that to happen."

[This article was translated from its Greek original]