Paphos People

Cyprus has “shot itself in the foot” by joining the EU’s ban on Russian aircraft into the bloc’s airspace, the Russian ambassador bluntly stated on Monday amid concerns from the tourism industry.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides late on Sunday said that the Republic joined the bloc’s unified flight ban but reserved the right to review the policy should Ankara not join in on the ban – with fears that Turkey would “instrumentalise” the move, potentially sending Russian tourists to the north.

Russian ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav Osadchiy addressed Cyprus’ concerns in no uncertain terms, saying: “Where will Cyprus get its Russian tourists from? They won’t come, where will they go – to Turkey, is that what you want?

“For them to go spend their money over there [Turkey]? Summer is coming up, you’ve closed your airspace – you shot yourselves in the foot,” he said, adding that Russia had not wished this to happen.

Full story here:- https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/02/28/all-cyprus-flights-to-and-from-russia-cancelled-in-tit-for-tat-ban/

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

I don't think the Russians will be going on holiday to anywhere at the moment .
I feel for them, they didn't ask for this and I truly believe most of them are as appalled by what their President has done as the rest of the world is.
Hopefully someone in Russia can sort him out!

What else could Cyprus do ? We are part of the eu and therefore pretty much bound to follow eu policy. If we had sided with Russia then surely the sanctions imposed on Russia would also be imposed on us, not a good position to be in , surely the eu would impose heavy fines on us too. I realise the Russian ambassador was just following the party line but still not a very sensible address ! Still want to do when there is a nutter at the helm.