Newsweek quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John Herbst on the talks between Cyprus and Russia that would allow the Russian military to use the island nation’s sea and airports:
John Herbst, a Eurasia expert at the Atlantic Council and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, says that Russia’s approach toward Cyprus ought to be of great concern to NATO and the EU.
“There is no reason to consider this arrangement with Cyprus humanitarian,” Herbst says. “The Kremlin has used a humanitarian cover to pursue geopolitical and even aggressive objectives.”
“The prospective deal with Cyprus is part of a Kremlin move to enhance its military posture in Europe and to develop closer relations with select EU states. These closer relations will give Moscow an ally in influencing EU decisions,” Herbst adds.