Moscow-Cyprus Relations since the 1950s: A Schematic Introduction

Abstract

Allowing for inevitable disagreements, stemming from political, ideological, psychological propensities and fixed ideas, it should be undeniable that, throughout the post-World War II era, Moscow had displayed friendship, solidarity and multidimensional support towards Cyprus and its overwhelming Greek Cypriot majority. Hence the recurrent expressions of “gratitude” by Cypriot political elites, opinion makers, and large sectors of civil society. Three primary sources of this “special relationship” stand out: first, Moscow, while serving its own geopolitical goals, simultaneously offered Cyprus protection against Anglo-American errors, sins and even crimes; second, in contrast to the West’s exclusively self-regarding strategies and tactics towards Cyprus, the Moscow-Cyprus bilateral bonding has overall been premised on a synthesis of mutual interests, shared norms and common values; and third, until very recently, Moscow extended to the Republic of Cyprus sustained understanding and support regarding Turkey’s threats and provocations. Except for the last dimension – addressed near the end of this essay - my major theses and supporting empirical evidence regarding the sui generis Russia-Cyprus relationship were first developed in my 2016 book, Russia-Cyprus Relations1.