Cyprus Satisfies U.S. Legal Requirements for Arms Exports

Cyprus is an important U.S. partner in the Eastern Mediterranean for energy security, economic development, and impeding Turkish and Russian aggression. However, U.S. law currently prohibits providing Cyprus with needed U.S.-made weaponry so long as it receives Russian foreign direct investment and allows Russian naval vessels to use its ports for resupply and refueling. Cyprus has now fulfilled these requirements. After U.S. and EU pressure, Cyprus took steps to strengthen its anti-money laundering regulations and, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has ended scheduled visits from Russian naval ships. President Biden should recognize Cyprus’s progress in these two areas and lift arms export restrictions so long as Cyprus continues to abide by U.S. requirements.