Ports in return for debt relief

Russian leader Vladimir Putin convinced Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis on the issue of giving Russian naval ships access to ports in return for debt relief of 2.5 billion Euros and decreasing the interest rates.

Anastasiadis have signed 11 treaties with Russia. The UK, however, reacted strongly his visit to Moscow saying that “You cannot give an air base access to Russia”. Greek Cypriot leader could not give an airbase to Russia  in Cyprus, but opened all of the seaports which have strategical importance in the Eastern Mediterranean to Russian navals. Before the visit, Russia extended the credit period of the 2.5 billion Euros given to the Greek Cypriot side in 2011 until 2021.