US Under Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland met with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia and stated that countries in the region have understood that dependence on Russian oil and gas is extremely bad and there is convergence in achieving the diversification of sources of supply, even as we work for the transition to green energy.

Asked if the EastMed pipeline is now a vital option for the US after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nuland said: “The idea behind that project was to build a very long pipeline in very deep water in about 10 years and we think that is very expensive, not economically viable and it will take a long time,” Nuland said.

The US official stressed the importance of the transition to green energy, noting at the same time that what they are seeking in terms of hydrocarbons are options for more gas and oil for a short transition period.

Nuland said the idea is for everyone to benefit because there is a need for alternative energy sources everywhere. Asked if she brought any US ideas to the two sides in Cyprus to advance the process for a solution to the Cyprus problem she noted that “we are interested in hearing the views of both the north and the south”, expressing US support for “Confidence Building Measures” ideas that can improve the economy in both the north and the south of the island. “But first and foremost this is an opportunity to hear if there is a convergence of views which we can build upon,” she added.

Referring to her later meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, she said she would talk to him about the US continued support for efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue “in a bi-communal way, as we have always argued over time.” Nuland also said in a statement that “we are very pleased to have a strong partnership with Cyprus at this crucial time for democracy as we stand together in the face of Mr. Putin’s brutal attack on Ukraine.