Russia reacted to recent statements by Assistant Secretary of State for Military and Political Affairs Clarke Cooper concerning inadmissibility of access of Russian Navy ships to Cypriot ports. The Foreign Ministry said that this was not the first time the U.S. had made its relations with the countries conditional on limiting its cooperation with Russia.

“Such approach contradicts the inherent right of the states to independent foreign policy”, – the ministry claims.

Earlier, Clarke Cooper voiced the position that the United States expects Cyprus to guarantee access to ports for Russian military vessels. He noted that the refusal to allow Russian ships into its ports would allow Cyprus to interact more closely with the United States in defense, and stressed that the United States would like to see progress. The Assistant Secretary of State also added that continued cooperation between Cyprus and the United States would be impossible until Nicosia proved its capabilities. According to the politician, “this is a very honest dialogue”.