US Senator Rick Scott visits Cyprus and criticizes Turkish policy

United States Senator Rick Scott, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, visited Cyprus on October 17, 2026. During his trip, the Republican senator from Florida toured the United Nations buffer zone in Nicosia and met with Cypriot officials, including Energy Minister Michalis Damianou. Their discussions focused on regional energy interconnectivity, American interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the ongoing division of the island.

Senator Scott issued a firm warning to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, holding him directly responsible for the stalemate in the Cyprus issue. He characterized Turkey's continued military presence on the island as an illegal invasion and a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. The senator urged Ankara to act as a responsible ally and show respect for other sovereign states. This high-level visit underscores the ongoing United States interest in regional stability and geopolitical developments involving Turkey's role in the divided nation.