US suspends arms embargo on Cyprus for one year
The United States has suspended its arms embargo on Cyprus for one year, allowing defence exports to resume between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026, after the Secretary of State certified that Cyprus meets congressional requirements.
The State Department announced the policy change Monday, continuing a suspension that originally lifted the arms embargo in October 2022. The decision follows Secretary of State certification in July that Cyprus has cooperated on anti-money laundering reforms and continues to deny Russian military vessels access to its ports.
Under the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act and the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, the arms embargo remains in place unless the President certifies annually that Cyprus is cooperating with US efforts on financial regulatory reforms and preventing Russian naval access.
The certification must demonstrate that ‘the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is continuing to cooperate with the United States Government in efforts to implement reforms on anti-money laundering regulations and financial regulatory oversight’ and ‘has made and is continuing to take the steps necessary to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing’.
The suspension allows certain exemptions to licensing requirements for exports, reexports, retransfers and temporary imports involving Cyprus, though applications remain subject to case-by-case review by the Directorate of Defence Trade Controls.
Cyprus had been subject to US arms export restrictions as part of broader policy considerations in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The annual certification requirement reflects Congressional concerns about Russian military activity and financial transparency in Cyprus.
The island nation has served as a key location for Russian business interests and has faced scrutiny over anti-money laundering controls. US policy has sought to encourage Cyprus to strengthen financial oversight while limiting Russian military access to strategic Mediterranean ports.
The one-year suspension maintains congressional oversight while allowing expanded defence trade cooperation between the US and Cyprus, reflecting improved bilateral relations and Cyprus’s compliance with key policy objectives.
The rule takes effect on 1 October 2025, and will require new certification for any extension beyond 30 September 2026.
