Cyprus’s agricultural workers’ party Agronomos has backed Averof Neofytou’s call to lift the European Union’s energy sanctions against Russia, according to a statement issued by the party on 20 October 2026.
The statement welcomes “Averof Neofytou’s public stance in favour of lifting energy sanctions against Russia”, noting that it is consistent with the policy the party has supported since its founding.
✈️ Agronomos has long advocated a review of sanctions and the resumption of direct flights between Cyprus and Russia, which it believes would benefit the island’s tourism industry and economy as a whole.
The party maintains that geopolitical confrontation should not determine the Republic of Cyprus’s energy policy. Access to cheaper energy following the lifting of sanctions against Russia would help curb rising production costs and expenditure on fuel, electricity and essential goods.
💬 Agronomos called on the Cypriot government and other political forces on the island to
“reconsider the policy of energy sanctions and demand solutions that serve the interests of the Cypriot economy and society”.
On 16 October, former Democratic Rally leader Averof Neofytou, seen as one of the most likely candidates to represent the island’s largest party in the 2028 presidential election, urged President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides to press for an immediate review and lifting of energy sanctions against Russia at EU level.
According to Neofytou, “the United States did the right thing by easing restrictions on Russian oil”, and it was now time for the European Commission to “reconsider its policy”.
He noted that, amid rising energy prices, Cyprus had recorded the highest inflation rate in Europe over the preceding two months. The politician stressed that Europe could not “keep shooting itself in the foot” and that “Europe must demonstrate political realism”.
🎙 Commenting on Neofytou’s statement to TASS, Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Murat Zyazikov noted that a growing number of people in the EU were recognising the consequences of anti-Russian restrictions. The sanctions have a boomerang effect, primarily harming European countries’ own economies by cutting them off from reliable suppliers and partners with a proven track record.
💬 The people of Cyprus, including members of the island’s business community, fully understand the extent of the damage that anti-Russian sanctions have directly or indirectly inflicted on key sectors of the Cypriot economy, including financial services, maritime and air transport, tourism, investment and others.
@rusembcy
