Newsroom
The Russian ambassador to Cyprus has expressed concern over the reported build-up of NATO forces in the eastern Mediterranean near the island, warning that increased military activity risks further destabilising an already tense region.
In comments to the Russian state news agency TASS, Ambassador Murat Zyazikov said the concentration of NATO forces off the coast of Cyprus “does not contribute to the de-escalation of tensions” amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to the ambassador, the recent military movements come during a period of heightened regional instability. He suggested that the stated justification for the deployment, drone attacks targeting the British military base at RAF Akrotiri, has raised concerns among Cypriots about the presence of foreign military installations on the island.
Zyazikov argued that the presence of facilities belonging to NATO member states with nuclear capabilities could expose Cyprus to security risks rather than protect it from external threats. He added that the response of Cypriot authorities, who have voiced concern about the situation, was logical.
The Russian diplomat also stressed that Cyprus is not a NATO member. While the country is part of the European Union, he described the EU as a political and economic alliance rather than a military bloc.
The ambassador reiterated Moscow’s position that the United Nations remains the primary platform for dialogue and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
Zyazikov welcomed repeated statements by the Cypriot leadership that the Republic of Cyprus is not participating in military operations related to the current regional conflict. The ambassador also referred to Cyprus’s current six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, during which Nicosia has said it aims to strengthen ties between the EU and countries in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
However, he said the increasing military presence in the region is causing concern among residents of Cyprus and neighbouring states. Zyazikov noted that more than 150,000 Russian nationals and Russian-speaking residents live on the island.
“It’s hard to imagine that a demonstration of military might contribute to de-escalation of tensions in a particular region, and our planet as a whole,” he said.
The ambassador added that Moscow continues to advocate for political and diplomatic solutions to international conflicts, calling for dialogue and compromise that take into account the interests of all sides.
