ATHENS, Jun 20 Cyprus is not going to ship weapons to Ukraine, because otherwise he would have remained unprotected, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis said on Tuesday at a press conference on the results of 100 days in power.
The journalist asked whether the government is considering negotiating the exchange or purchase of new weapons systems with other countries with the prospect of providing Ukraine with Soviet-made weapons currently in service with the national guard.
“The Republic of Cyprus is under occupation. The resources it uses, the military resources, if I can call them that, are very specific and we cannot take any action that will leave Cyprus undefended. On the contrary, our own efforts are included in our electoral program , our five-year goal is to increase defense spending, strengthen the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus, reach the level of 2% of GDP,» Christodoulidis replied.
According to him, there is a plan that was discussed with the Minister of Defense.
«There are some elements, especially in the navy and air force, that we're focusing on, and that's where we'll be focusing over the next five years,» the president said.
One of the journalists also noted that Cyprus is steadfastly complying with the sanctions against Russia, which nevertheless does not change its policy towards Cyprus and the Cyprus settlement. Nicosia has to pay for the sanctions. At the same time, the EU does not impose sanctions against Turkey, «which continues to violate any treaties and any decisions of the UN», seized half of Cyprus.
“The position of the Republic of Cyprus is absolutely correct. We are on the right side of history. We had no other choice,” Christodoulidis said.
Speaking about the sanctions against Turkey, Christodoulidis said: «We live in an anarchist international system.»
According to him, the Cypriot side had initiatives, and he hopes that they will have an effect.
«I don't think there was any possibility for Cyprus not to approve sanctions on Ukraine. I want to be absolutely specific in this position,» the president added.