Philenews

Cyprus-Ukraine: Parallel Lives?

Published January 11, 2026, 09:12
Cyprus-Ukraine: Parallel Lives?

During his recent visit to Kyiv, President Christodoulides repeatedly argued for the similarity between the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In both cases, a stronger neighbor used 'historical' arguments of an unbreakable bond of the past, where it was the hegemon in the wider geographical area. The presence of a minority that the aspiring hegemon claims to need to protect, even with armed violence. The geopolitical situation and the need to safeguard the interests of the stronger neighbor are common elements in both cases. Regarding the Cyprus issue, there is doubt as to whether Donald Trump will deal with it substantially, given that he considers it a 'frozen' problem of low intensity. However, Trump's desire to emerge as a peacemaker and his business-like approach to negotiation could create opportunities to restart talks. Unlike the Ukrainian issue, the Cyprus issue does not have the same urgent dimension, but remains a significant issue for regional stability.