President Nicos Anastasides was the only EU head of state present at Red Square WWII victory celebrations on Saturday.
While his counterparts boycotted the military parade to show their protest in how Russia is handling the issue with Ukraine, President Anastasiades said he could not accept that the Ukrainian issue had anything to do with honouring dead soldiers of WWII.
“We cannot look down on history just because there is a current crisis” said Anastasiades, referring to the Ukraine issue that has caused yet another rift between Russia and the West.
European heads of state joined President Putin on Sunday as they attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
President Putin praised Anastasiades for his decision to attend the Saturday parade in Red Square. He also told him Russia is ready to help in any way it can regarding the Cyprus problem.