Cyprus moves strategically closer to the US, gradually distancing itself from Russia

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is realigning its partnerships, strengthening strategic cooperation with the United States while gradually reducing its military dependence on Russia and its longstanding ties with Moscow.

For several decades, the Republic of Cyprus sought to maintain a balanced position between East and West. As part of this approach, it maintained close relations with Moscow, particularly in the economic and military sectors.

This policy was also shaped by tensions with Washington linked to the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974 and the arms embargo imposed by the United States in 1987.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought a significant shift in this approach. By supporting European Union sanctions against Moscow, Cyprus began moving away from the balance it had traditionally maintained between Russia and the West. At the same time, as DW notes, cooperation with the US gained momentum, primarily on security and defence issues.

Concrete steps in this rapprochement included the lifting of the US arms embargo in 2022 and the establishment of the CYCLOPS training centre in Larnaca. Then, in 2025, Cyprus also joined US programmes for the procurement of military equipment.

For Nicosia, these changes have opened up more opportunities to modernise its armed forces. Efforts are now focused on gradually reducing reliance on Russian weaponry, including T-80 tanks and Tor-M1 and Buk air defence systems.

The process also appears to have gathered pace because of obstacles to the supply of ammunition and spare parts caused by sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, John Bresloë, the US ambassador to Cyprus, has announced plans to modernise the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos. They also include more visits by US warships to Cypriot ports and an expansion of joint military exercises.