Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has denied rumors that Moscow plans to recognize Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus which, according to some Turkish media reports would take place in exchange for Turkey recognizing Abkhazia, the Greek Kathimerini daily reported.
In comments made Thursday Zakharova denied the reports, saying that Russia supports a settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions.
She said the misinformation was spread by forces that aim to undermine Russian relations with Cyprus and damage security and stability in the region.
In 1974, after a far-right Greek Cypriot military coup sponsored by a military junta sought to unite the island with Greece, Turkey exercised its guarantor rights to intervene on the island to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) is only recognized by Ankara.