US plays "Cyprus Gambit" against Russia and Turkey
Washington is determined to open a new “front” against Moscow in the Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, the circumstances in this case are so fortunate for the United States that, if the intended scenario is realized in one fell swoop, they can ruin the life of Ankara too, which has recently turned from a reliable ally into a source of constant and considerable headache. The island of Cyprus, which has long been a "bone of contention" in this region, could soon become the epicenter of a massive geopolitical conflict through the efforts of Americans.
Vladimir Putin’s decision to send the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is, to some extent, a reaction to the sharply intensified US efforts to create another hotbed of tension there. Thus, the American Democratic Senator Robert Menendez on the eve made an extremely meaningful statement that the United States "no longer intends to tolerate Turkish aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean." Moreover, this legislator, known for his views and initiatives, invariably hostile to our country, together with his colleague - Republican Mark Rubio, belonging to the same Russophobic camp, have already submitted a bill to Congress. The document is about the lifting of the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the "comprehensive strengthening of US military cooperation" not only with it, but also with Greece.
What kind of "Turkish aggression" is mentioned in this case? Without a doubt, Menendez refers to the incident that took place in early 2018, when Turkish military vessels blocked an Italian drilling platform, which was trying to extract gas in the territorial waters of Cyprus. Yes, yes - at the heart of everything lies the same magic word: “energy carriers”. Rushing to “defend” the island, the United States intends to seriously rude Russia and Turkey precisely in the implementation of their own gas transportation projects. And this is not only about the reserves of blue fuel lying in the offshore of Cyprus, the development of which, without taking into account Turkish interests, is extremely toughly opposed in Ankara, but about the fact that they plan to use the island in Washington to organize gas transportation to Europe from Israeli fields, and, possibly Egypt. It should be remembered that of the 4 trillion cubic meters of gas lurking in the bowels of the Eastern Mediterranean (estimated by the US Geological Survey), more than a quarter are on the shelves of Cyprus and the above-mentioned states.
The intentions in this direction are more than serious - in March this year, the leaders of Israel, Cyprus and Greece met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which resulted in the signing by the participants of a protocol of intentions regarding the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline. When its construction begins and how long it can last is a third matter. In any case, such a competition will definitely not benefit Turkish Stream. As you can see, Washington is not only continuing to stubbornly implement its plans to maximally counteract the export of Russian energy carriers to Europe - in this way it exponentially “punishes” Turkey both for the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems and for the “disobedience” displayed in other matters. However, the US plans can be even larger and pursue much more destructive goals.
Recall that the island of Cyprus is still divided - into the Greek and Turkish parts (in the ratio of about 60% to 38%), and if the Greek enclave, that is, the Republic of Cyprus itself, is recognized by the international community, then the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is considered a state exclusively in Ankara. The current, very fragile world was preceded by a fierce war that swept the island in 1974. Hence the introduction of the UN peacekeeping force and the arms embargo that followed in 1987 from the United States. Removing it will most likely lead to very unpleasant consequences - and, again, not only for the Turkish side. It should be remembered that to this day the island has conducted quite intensive military cooperation just with Russia. The latest documents on this issue were signed in Moscow in 2015 at the level of foreign ministers. At one time, there were even rumors about the possibility of deploying our naval and air bases on the island, which, however, turned out to be inventions of clean water. However, at the same time, the naval vessels of Russia have always been welcome guests at the ports there.
Last year, both Greece and Cyprus expressed interest in procuring Russian weapons. Recall - at one time, the Republic of Cyprus acquired the S-300 air defense system from Russia, which, however, never reached the island - and precisely because of the categorical rejection of Turkey. Our air defense systems, thus, were in service with Greece, which is a member of NATO. In general, the Russian militarytechnical cooperation with this country is the most powerful among all the states of the Alliance. Washington is firmly committed to turning this situation around, and in doing so, fundamentally. There is no doubt: the Americans will make every effort to push the Greeks and Turks against their foreheads, and, ideally, to quarrel the two with the Russians. If it succeeds in bringing the matter to an armed conflict in which Moscow will have to choose who to support - Athens or Ankara, it will be just wonderful for the USA! Most likely, sending our military to Cyprus is precisely due to the fact that the Kremlin foresees the possibility of developing the situation precisely in this scenario.
Be that as it may, we are dealing with yet another example of the well-designed and carefully planned subversive actions of the United States directed against our country. In an increasingly hot confrontation, our overseas opponents are not going to stop at anything.
Vladimir Putin’s decision to send the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is, to some extent, a reaction to the sharply intensified US efforts to create another hotbed of tension there. Thus, the American Democratic Senator Robert Menendez on the eve made an extremely meaningful statement that the United States "no longer intends to tolerate Turkish aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean." Moreover, this legislator, known for his views and initiatives, invariably hostile to our country, together with his colleague - Republican Mark Rubio, belonging to the same Russophobic camp, have already submitted a bill to Congress. The document is about the lifting of the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the "comprehensive strengthening of US military cooperation" not only with it, but also with Greece.
What kind of "Turkish aggression" is mentioned in this case? Without a doubt, Menendez refers to the incident that took place in early 2018, when Turkish military vessels blocked an Italian drilling platform, which was trying to extract gas in the territorial waters of Cyprus. Yes, yes - at the heart of everything lies the same magic word: “energy carriers”. Rushing to “defend” the island, the United States intends to seriously rude Russia and Turkey precisely in the implementation of their own gas transportation projects. And this is not only about the reserves of blue fuel lying in the offshore of Cyprus, the development of which, without taking into account Turkish interests, is extremely toughly opposed in Ankara, but about the fact that they plan to use the island in Washington to organize gas transportation to Europe from Israeli fields, and, possibly Egypt. It should be remembered that of the 4 trillion cubic meters of gas lurking in the bowels of the Eastern Mediterranean (estimated by the US Geological Survey), more than a quarter are on the shelves of Cyprus and the above-mentioned states.
The intentions in this direction are more than serious - in March this year, the leaders of Israel, Cyprus and Greece met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which resulted in the signing by the participants of a protocol of intentions regarding the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline. When its construction begins and how long it can last is a third matter. In any case, such a competition will definitely not benefit Turkish Stream. As you can see, Washington is not only continuing to stubbornly implement its plans to maximally counteract the export of Russian energy carriers to Europe - in this way it exponentially “punishes” Turkey both for the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems and for the “disobedience” displayed in other matters. However, the US plans can be even larger and pursue much more destructive goals.
Recall that the island of Cyprus is still divided - into the Greek and Turkish parts (in the ratio of about 60% to 38%), and if the Greek enclave, that is, the Republic of Cyprus itself, is recognized by the international community, then the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is considered a state exclusively in Ankara. The current, very fragile world was preceded by a fierce war that swept the island in 1974. Hence the introduction of the UN peacekeeping force and the arms embargo that followed in 1987 from the United States. Removing it will most likely lead to very unpleasant consequences - and, again, not only for the Turkish side. It should be remembered that to this day the island has conducted quite intensive military cooperation just with Russia. The latest documents on this issue were signed in Moscow in 2015 at the level of foreign ministers. At one time, there were even rumors about the possibility of deploying our naval and air bases on the island, which, however, turned out to be inventions of clean water. However, at the same time, the naval vessels of Russia have always been welcome guests at the ports there.
Last year, both Greece and Cyprus expressed interest in procuring Russian weapons. Recall - at one time, the Republic of Cyprus acquired the S-300 air defense system from Russia, which, however, never reached the island - and precisely because of the categorical rejection of Turkey. Our air defense systems, thus, were in service with Greece, which is a member of NATO. In general, the Russian militarytechnical cooperation with this country is the most powerful among all the states of the Alliance. Washington is firmly committed to turning this situation around, and in doing so, fundamentally. There is no doubt: the Americans will make every effort to push the Greeks and Turks against their foreheads, and, ideally, to quarrel the two with the Russians. If it succeeds in bringing the matter to an armed conflict in which Moscow will have to choose who to support - Athens or Ankara, it will be just wonderful for the USA! Most likely, sending our military to Cyprus is precisely due to the fact that the Kremlin foresees the possibility of developing the situation precisely in this scenario.
Be that as it may, we are dealing with yet another example of the well-designed and carefully planned subversive actions of the United States directed against our country. In an increasingly hot confrontation, our overseas opponents are not going to stop at anything.
Information