Russia Staging “Peace Protests” in Cyprus to Undermine €90 Billion EU Support Effort for Ukraine

Ukraine has accused Russia of organizing staged “anti-war” protests in Cyprus in an effort to disrupt discussions among European leaders over continued financial and military support for Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation on April 24.

Russian-backed actors are attempting to influence the outcome of a high-level EU meeting taking place on the island, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is presenting proposals for deeper defense integration across Europe.

The summit is focused in part on long-term funding for Ukraine, including broader support for defense production and air defense systems. Ukrainian officials say the Kremlin is seeking to derail those efforts by orchestrating demonstrations disguised as grassroots peace movements.

The protests, expected to continue through April 25, are reportedly coordinated by Russian diplomatic and cultural structures operating in Cyprus, including the embassy, Rossotrudnichestvo -linked networks, and a so-called Russian cultural center. Ukrainian officials allege these groups routinely promote Moscow’s influence abroad under the cover of cultural initiatives.

“These actions are presented as a ‘struggle for peace,’ while in reality they push for ending EU financial support to Ukraine,” the Center said. It added that the campaign also promotes narratives suggesting that military assistance to Kyiv “prolongs the war,” a claim Ukrainian officials describe as an attempt to shift responsibility for Russia’s aggression.

At the same time, Zelenskyy is promoting an initiative aimed at building an integrated European defense system capable of countering modern threats, including large-scale drone attacks. The proposal includes closer coordination on air defense, expanded joint weapons production, and a framework known as “Drone Deals.”

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The Ukrainian president has urged European partners to increase support for air defense systems, particularly the supply of missiles, while also investing in collaborative defense manufacturing.

Ukrainian officials say the alleged influence operation is unlikely to alter the EU’s position. Cyprus has consistently backed Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and European institutions are already aware of the reported attempts to stage coordinated protests.

The Center for Countering Disinformation said such efforts are part of a broader strategy but emphasized that the stakes extend beyond Ukraine.

“These attempts cannot change the EU’s position, because this is not only about supporting Ukraine, but about the security of all of Europe,” the Center said.

Earlier, Cyprus’s 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.

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