Moscow favors the continuation of negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, Russia’s Ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav Osadchiy said on Sunday. He added that his country has been and continues to be on the side of the Republic of Cyprus.

Osadchiy also expressed his country’s support to the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its exclusive economic zone and noted that energy designs must continue without further provocations.

As Russian citizens, residing in or visit the city, went to polls on Sunday to vote for the presidential elections in their country, Ambassador Osadchiy visited the Russian Consulate in Limassol – one of the polling stations – and was briefed about the process.

Speaking to the press, Osadchiy underlined the longstanding relationship between Cyprus and Russia and said that his government was trying to develop relations further, in cooperation with the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, and his government. He spoke about plans, both at the Embassy level and in Moscow, without giving more details.

Asked if Russia considers a move, aiming to facilitate the resumption of UN-backed settlement talks, the Ambassador said that “we are in contact with your country’s leadership, we have our thoughts about this issue, we will also discuss it in the future”. He did not preclude a discussion on this matter to involve Turkey.

Concerning the Russian presidential elections, Osadchiy said that participation is high, as voters want to send a message of support to their country, due to the controversy over the poisoning of former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain. He dismissed accusations that Moscow was behind the case, saying that “they don’t have any proof, we don’t accept this and we reply” to those accusations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-peace talks in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans Montana, Switzerland, ended without an agreement. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aimed at reunifying Cyprus under a federal roof.