Cyprus: Putin 'to help ease' gas search tensions with Turkey

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to intercede with Turkey to try and ease rising tensions over its oil and gas exploration in eastern Mediterranean waters that Cyprus claims as its own, the Cypriot government said Thursday.

Spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said Putin made the pledge during a 45-minute telephone conversation with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, who appealed to the Russian leader to personally step in so that Turkey “is convinced to cease its unlawful actions.”

The EU has already imposed sanctions on top officials from Turkey’s petroleum company over drilling in Cypriot waters. The US has also urged Turkey to stop its “provocative” drilling efforts that raise regional tensions.

“(Putin) promised that he would intercede with (Turkish) President (Tayyip) Erdogan in order to de-escalate the crisis,” Koushos told reporters.

“(Putin) assured that he’s observing the situation ... with great concern, and always supports the resolution of differences through negotiations based on principles of international law,” he added.

European Union member Cyprus has strong traditional ties with Russia.

In its readout of the conversation, the Kremlin said that “regional issues, including the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and prospects for Cyprus settlement” were discussed, along with bilateral issues.

Turkey has dispatched warship-escorted research vessels and drill ships numerous times in the last year to search and drill for gas in waters between the two countries where Cyprus claims exclusive economic rights.

This week, Ankara backed off from a similar gas exploration bid near three eastern Greek islands that lie close to the Turkish coastline, amid concerns of a military clash with Greece.

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