The deployment of NATO forces off the coast of Cyprus does not contribute to easing tensions in an already volatile region, Murat Zyazikov, Russia’s ambassador to Cyprus, said in remarks to the Russian news agency TASS.
Speaking amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Zyazikov said Moscow was closely monitoring the deployment of NATO forces in the Mediterranean Sea.
'Threat to security rather than protection'
“In recent days, against the backdrop of the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, we have been watching with concern how the forces of the North Atlantic Alliance are being deployed in the Mediterranean,” the ambassador said.
He noted that the formal trigger for the move were the drone attacks on the British air base at RAF Akrotiri, located in the UK sovereign base area on the island.
Zyazikov also referred to what he described as the operation of “military facilities of NATO nuclear powers on the island”, claiming that the drone incident had reinforced concerns among the Cypriot public that such activity could pose a threat to their security rather than provide protection.
Cyprus not a NATO member
According to the ambassador, the reaction of the government of Cyprus, which expressed concern over the incident, was understandable. He added that the Republic of Cyprus is not a NATO member state and that the European Union, of which Cyprus is a member, is a political and economic union rather than a military alliance.
Zyazikov also said the United Nations remains the main platform for equal dialogue aimed at resolving international conflicts.
He welcomed repeated statements by the Cypriot leadership that the country is not participating in any military operations linked to the ongoing conflict in the region, saying this stance strengthens Nicosia’s position in pursuing one of the goals it set during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union - bringing the EU closer to countries in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean.
Moscow 'rejects violence'
The ambassador added that countries in the region, including residents of Cyprus, were watching developments with concern, noting that more than 150,000 Russian nationals live on the island.
“It is difficult to imagine that a demonstration of military force would contribute to de-escalation of tensions in a specific region or globally,” Zyazikov said.
He added that Moscow consistently supports the rejection of violent approaches to resolving conflicts and instead calls for diplomatic efforts and political dialogue aimed at reaching reasonable compromises while maintaining a balance of interests among all parties.