NICOSIA, Cyprus — In a recent agreement established following discussions between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, the United Kingdom has committed to providing intelligence to a newly created unit in Cyprus. This unit will focus on preventing Russia from circumventing international sanctions that have been imposed due to its actions in Ukraine.
This visit marked a significant moment as it was the first time in 53 years that a U.K. prime minister has visited the once British-ruled island. The leaders discussed collaborative efforts, leading to Britain’s agreement to share pertinent information from its offices responsible for handling sanctions. This exchange aims to assist the Cypriot Ministry of Finance in disrupting and intercepting illicit financial flows throughout Europe, thereby strengthening the impact of sanctions targeting Russia’s military operations.
The new unit in Cyprus is set to investigate how Russia is evading sanctions and track the movement of funds across the continent. This initiative aligns with another announcement made a day prior, where Cyprus and the United States indicated their commitment to intensifying the fight against illicit financing. The collaboration seeks to provide Cypriot law enforcement with training that will enhance their ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes.
In addition to U.S. support, the United Kingdom has also pledged to assist in training Cypriot law enforcement next year, focusing particularly on customs officials and their efforts to tackle illicit tobacco smuggling into the U.K. Since the initiation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Cyprus has managed to freeze Russian assets worth approximately $1.9 billion. Furthermore, the Cypriot government has committed to participating in a U.K.-led initiative aimed at intercepting vessels attempting to bypass sanctions.
The presence of British military bases in Cyprus remains significant, as they host vital electronic surveillance facilities that play a crucial role in monitoring activities within the Middle East.