< p _ngcontent-sc86="" class="news-annotation">Ukraine may receive Soviet air defense systems from Cyprus. This became possible after the island state entered into an agreement with Israel on the purchase of the Iron Dome air defense system.
What systems Ukraine can get
The agreement between Cyprus and Israel allows the US to convince Nicosia to transfer its air defense systems to Ukraine. It is reported that currently Cyprus air defense consists of short-range 9K330 Tor, medium-range 9K37 Buk and French Mistral short-range missiles.
The United States has already called on Cyprus to transfer to Ukraine an impressive arsenal of weapons, that in Nicosia they agreed if they could buy equivalent systems in return.
America can insist that the sale of Cyprus to the Israeli system is a replacement, not an addition, to the old installations, which, in turn, should be transferred to Ukraine. According to the report, Washington has enough leverage over Nicosia to send it on this path.
Cyprus can benefit greatly if it gives up air defense to Ukraine
Cyprus will not be able to acquire the “Iron dome” without the consent of the United States, since America helped Israel develop the appropriate system. Therefore, the sale of the Iron Dome to third countries cannot take place without the approval of the United States and Israel.
Also, according to Forbes, in 1987 the United States imposed an arms embargo on Cyprus, which was partially lifted in 2020. Then it was about lifting the embargo on non-lethal weapons.
If Cyprus agrees to transfer its air defense systems to Ukraine, then Washington can give a signal open to the full knowledge of the embargo. The authors of the article emphasize that Cyprus can benefit greatly if it gives up air defense to Ukraine.
Air defense for Ukraine
- On Thursday, August 25, it became known that cargo of military aid from Spain. It includes a full air defense battery.
- In April, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced agreements on air defense supplies to Ukraine. The head of state noted that Ukraine has certain agreements on air defense systems that allow destroying part of the missiles.
- Ukraine is waiting for the supply of the IRIS-T air defense system, which should come from Germany. German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock predicted that Ukraine could receive the appropriate air defense systems at the end of summer. Burbock's statement was confirmed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
