Washington stops short of tongue-lashing Nicosia

Washington says there is no new policy to announce regarding a recent arms embargo lift on the Republic of Cyprus, following news that US sanctions have been imposed on several dealers including individuals who are based on the island.

The US State Department this week blacklisted 22 individuals and entities across many countries including Cyprus, with full blocking sanctions in response to allegations of taking part in a sanctions evasion network supporting Russia's military-industrial complex.

According to State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel, the action taken on Wednesday "was about designating individuals and entities across multiple jurisdictions who are connected to a sanctions evasion network supporting Russia's defense sector, including prominent arms dealer Igor Vladimirovich Zimenkov."
Zimenkov, who is based in Cyprus, was said to...