Paphos People

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides expressed Cyprus’ support for EU measures agreed with his counterparts on Sunday night to close airspace to Russian planes and target measures through the global payments Swift programme.

Speaking to CyBC radio on Monday morning, Kasoulides said that although the economy of Cyprus is heavily dependent on tourism, it could not block the move to shut European airspace to Russian planes.

During an informal videoconference on Sunday night EU foreign ministers agreed “to intensify efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and impose targeted restrictive measures on Russia, in the framework of the Swift programme. Additionally, they agreed to provide military equipment to Ukraine, and shut European airspace to Russian planes.”

The closure of Cyprus airspace to Russian aircraft, was announced via Twitter by Minister of Transport Yiannis Karousos late Sunday night.

“A NOTAM was issued with effect from midnight, in order to implement the closure of the airspace for Russian aircraft in accordance with the relevant EU decision,” Karousos said.

Kasoulides said the airspace closure came with the right to re-consider in the event that Turkey refuses to follow suit.

“When it comes to closing the European airspace, the foreign minister noted that our consent is given without prejudice to our right to review and/or revise the implementation of this decision, in the case that Turkey refuses to proceed with closing its own airspace and proceeds with instrumentalising this European decision, in order to attract and/ or transfer Russian citizens to the occupied areas of Cyprus,” a foreign ministry announcement said.

Referring to the accusation that Cyprus had been one of several EU countries against disabling Russian access to the Swift banking system, Kasoulides said it was deliberate misinformation.

Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides had said on Saturday that Cyprus did not stand in the way of disallowing Russia to use Swift.

Kasoulidis said the matter brought up security concerns for the Cypriot embassy as a large number of Ukrainian citizens are carrying weapons.

He also said that 35 Cypriots have already returned from Ukraine, while another 115 remain there, and efforts are underway for their repatriation as soon as conditions allow.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/02/28/cyprus-agrees-to-close-eu-airspace-to-russian-planes/

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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.”

Deleted double post sorry

Just dropped in to see how you all are and came across this post.

Can I ask about the Russians who are living in cyprus, are there any views being expressed by those people? because I should imagine that they will not have any access to their money.

Will they be stranded in Cyprus should they choose to return to Russia?

My Russian neighbour phoned me from Moscow to say he hopes to be back next weekend…..he is arranging to travel to another country and fly from there. Luckily he has a Cypriot bank account and Credit / Debit card.

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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.”

You should also remember that Russians living here are certainly not representative of Russians at home, similarly with the Brits and the Ukrainians

Many are here because they are not wanting to live in their own country as much as be somewhere warmer and nicer.

I know many from all sides, when you sit in the quiet and speak to them they CAN actually see arguments form all sides, but as in all wars the first casualty is the truth and the propaganda spouted on TV by every side is often debunked by simple phone calls to either country.

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Straight talking, no Gimmicks.

Live your dreams.

Sitting on the fence eh Tanny? Your ambivalence is shameful and sickening - but surprise, surprise.

There are NO arguments from all sides! To claim that is to side with Putin. Despot dicatator Putin has invaded a neighbouring peaceful and democratic country. Why? Because Zelenskyy won't subjugate and kow-tow to Putin's oppressive regime.

With a bit of luck Putin will either end up in The Hague charged with crimes against humanity, or with a bullet through his brain, courtesy of one of his miltary commanders.

The whole world is united against Putin. Not one country or leader in support, not even President Xi of China. That tells you something.

Won't be long before the myriad sanctions start to take effect.

I would think most people just want to get on peacefully with their lives and yet now are caught up directly in something not of their doing and some may even be fearful of repercussions, not only to themselves as residents in another country but also to family in their homeland.

Good morning Yakflyer, what a balanced charming person you are. I am certainly not condoning the action to invade anyones country and any form of invasion is sickening, particularly when the two are so closely connected culturally.

However we are in a great and fortunate position here to be able to see from many angles just what has been going on for many years in the lead up and well as some of the current content and can make up our own minds.

The sanctions imposed will simply press directly to normal Russians through shortages and higher costs. However those self same sanctions are already doing that in the West and here. So sanctions as has been proven everywhere else tried does not work.

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Straight talking, no Gimmicks.

Live your dreams.