The Cypriot government recently held a meeting with Erik Woodhouse, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions from the United States. The meeting, which took place during Woodhouse's visit to Cyprus, aimed to discuss the actions taken by Cyprus regarding the implementation of sanctions imposed by the US government on Cypriot individuals and entities associated with sanctioned Russian oligarchs.

Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Pikis, and Marilena Raouna, the Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic, were the key participants from Cyprus. The meeting was organized as part of the ongoing cooperation between the two countries.

The discussions centered around the measures undertaken by the Cypriot government, following the instructions of the President of the Republic. These actions are in accordance with a decision made by the Council of Ministers to strictly enforce the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.

In a press release issued by the Presidency, it was stated that the Cypriot officials provided a detailed briefing on the government's plans concerning the matter. The Cypriot government is firmly committed to fully implementing the sanctions on both legal entities and individuals, as directed by the US government.

This meeting reflects the importance of collaboration between Cyprus and the United States in addressing global issues, and it underscores Cyprus's dedication to abiding by international sanctions and maintaining strong diplomatic ties with the US.

Overall, the discussions between the Cypriot officials and the US representative signify a step forward in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation on matters of shared interest and concern.

In April, the US and UK imposed initial sanctions on Cyprus due to alleged sanctions breaches involving local individuals and entities aiding Russian oligarchs in hiding their wealth. President Nikos Christodoulides assured full cooperation with authorities to protect the country's reputation and pledged legal action against those involved in the breaches. An 800-page dossier from the US, along with a toolkit, was given to Cyprus to aid in prosecuting law and audit firms linked to the oligarchs. The allegations sparked concern in Cyprus' financial services sector, leading firms to distance themselves from sanctioned parties.