Cyprus has revoked the permit it had given to 5 Russian warships for mooring and refueling in its ports. 

The warships’ arrival was scheduled for Friday, but Nicosia decided – only this time – not to allow their arrival as NATO ships were in its ports on the same day. According to information, these were frigates and support ships that would come for refueling purposes.

According to sources, “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter by which it annulled the original decision. There was no reaction from Russia.”

It is recalled that this week, French ships sailed both in Limassol and Larnaca, such as the large “Charle De Gaulle” aircraft carrier, which was accompanied by US frigates because of the “Clemenceau” exercise. Also, US warships were found in the sea area of ​​Cyprus. 

Last Wednesday, in the framework of the presence of the USS ROSS (DDG-71) in the sea area of ​​Cyprus, the Naval Command of the National Guard General Staff carried out the first joint naval cooperation exercise (PASSEX) with the US Navy, under the name “CYP/USA -01/2022”, south of Limassol.

The simultaneous presence of Russians in Limassol is believed to create awkwardness for both Nicosia and the same naval forces.

The same sources, called to comment on whether this means the cancellation of the agreement between Cyprus and Russia on ship facilities, they refused saying that the decision concerned only this request. The development took place despite the fact that yesterday at the European Council of Ministers it was not decided to ban the use of European ports on Russian ships, although the EU High Representative said that some countries put it on the table.

For his part, the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus, Stalislav Osatsi, did not hide his annoyance about the event, saying that he hoped the permit revocation would only concern this specific arrival.

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