Cyprus Admits Years of Russian Influence—and Details How It’s Cutting Moscow Off

Cyprus’ Foreign Minister openly acknowledged that Russian influence was embedded in the country for years, while stressing that the government has taken sweeping steps to dismantle those ties following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Politico reported on January 15.

Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos said Cyprus had been closely connected to Russia in the past but emphasized that the war in Ukraine forced a fundamental shift in policy and enforcement.

“The foreign minister acknowledged that Cyprus had been closely linked to the country in the past, but pointed to steps taken in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including the closure of 42,728 shell companies and 125,782 bank accounts,” Politico reported.

Kombos added that Cyprus has overhauled its economic and banking models and reduced vulnerabilities in its defense sector, signaling a broader effort to break with patterns that once made the island attractive to Russian capital.

“We do not rely on Russian energy, unlike other member states. We joined the sanctions,” Kombos said.

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Speaking separately, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna framed Cyprus’s stance on Ukraine as rooted in its own historical experience.

“When we talk about the importance of respecting territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence—whether it concerns Ukraine or the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland—we say this from our own experience, because Cyprus has lived with the consequences of violations of international law for more than 50 years,” Raouna said.

Russian influence in Cyprus is deep-rooted, stemming from shared Orthodox faith, Soviet-era ties, and significant economic links, particularly benefiting from Cyprus as a financial hub for Russian capital, though this has faced scrutiny and reduction post-sanctions, with Russian populations in Limassol decreasing but cultural connections and financial maneuvering by oligarchs remaining.

The island serves as a strategic gateway to the Middle East, where Russia leverages its historical ties, while also facing a push from the current Cypriot government towards stronger pro-Western alignment.

Earlier, Cypriot authorities were investigating the death of a senior Russian embassy official found dead inside the Russian Embassy in Nicosia.

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