The balance in the Mediterranean is shifting and US-Cyprus relations are resuming, as evidenced by the increase in exercises and military exchanges. Relations with Russia have long been much stronger, but in recent years Cyprus has decided to align itself more closely with the West.
The strategic role of Cyprus
Located in the north-east corner of the Mediterranean Sea, the island has a strategic position as it guarantees a privileged view of the activities in the eastern part and facilitates movements to the Middle East and North Africa. The Republic of Cyprus has long been subject to an arms embargo imposed by the United States in 1987 and has developed close ties with Russia during this period. At least until a few years ago when the government line changed. In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in April, General Christopher Cavoli, chief of US European Command and NATO commander, confirmed that Cyprus was ideally placed to allow US interests and position in the eastern Mediterranean to develop.
NATO’s Doubts
The region is a complicated area, Cavoli explained, partly because “over the years, competition and Russian naval presence in the region have increased significantly.” US naval forces are stepping up activities in the region, and NATO is keeping a close eye on Moscow, which maintains a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus – its only naval base outside the former Soviet Union – and a nearby air base in Hmeimim. The positions serve as a base for bomber support and for further repairs to warships.
friendship with Russia
Russia was also a close military partner and a major arms exporter for Cyprus. In 2015, Nicosia reached an agreement allowing Russian ships access to Cypriot ports for refueling. Not to mention that the island is a hub where a lot of illicit funds circulate. However, relations between the two countries have changed and relations with the United States have become closer and more solid.
In 2019, the US Congress voted to increase energy cooperation with Cyprus and other countries in the region. And in 2020 it was decided to partially lift the arms embargo to allow non-lethal equipment to be exported to Cyprus, while last year the embargo was lifted entirely. “We maintain a strong military relationship,” General Cavoli said again. “Exchanging equipment with another nation creates a strategic and practical connection and is very useful,” he stressed, explaining how important it is for Cyprus to buy American weapons instead of Russian or Chinese.
The agreements
Deals and military exchanges include formalizing the relationship with the New Jersey National Guard as part of the US State Partnership Program in March. This allows Cypriots “to participate in joint exercises on topics ranging from counterterrorism to emergency response,” said Andrew Novo, a professor of strategic studies at the National Defense University. And joint exercises were held to train the Kiev troops.
After Moscow attacked Ukraine in February 2022, Nicosia canceled its 2015 deal, banning Russian ships from its ports. Nikos Christodoulides, who took office in March, has “strong western support,” Novo clarified, “and wants to continue his predecessor’s efforts to bring Cyprus closer to the United States and promote it as a force for stability in the eastern Mediterranean.” .
While the expansion of US-Cyprus relations should benefit NATO, not all Allies are happy with it. Following the arrival of the USS San Juan in April, Turkey publicly backed a declaration by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – a breakaway territory only Turkey recognizes – and criticized the visit. Though Novo said he doubted Ankara had any real concerns about US warships in Cyprus. “These activities do not pose a real problem for Turkey and have no military significance for Cyprus,” he added, describing the submarine’s arrival as symbolic.
Since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the island has been divided between the internationally recognized Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus to the south and the Turkish-speaking region to the north, which still has around 20,000 Turkish soldiers stationed there. “Publishing an official press release criticizing the docking of an American ship is a way to make some noise and remind Washington that Ankara does not like closer ties with Cyprus.” to Russia not to please
Turkey bought Russian S-400 air defense systems, prompting the United States to withdraw them from the F-35 program. And in April, Russian and Turkish leaders unveiled the construction of a Russian-built nuclear power plant on Turkey’s southern coast.
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