U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Tweets Controversial Statements

The American Ambassador tweeted, "What do people in #Cyprus think about the week in Russia as seen from here? Anastasiades visit and statements, #Nemtsov assassination?" Koenig later removed his tweet after receiving flack from the international arena.

The Ambassador issued the following statement, "I would like to clarify that my intention was neither to provoke nor to imply anything. I simply wanted to get the reaction of the Cypriot people on two different issues: first, President Anastasiades' visit and statements in Moscow and, second, another dramatic event in Moscow last week – the assassination of Boris Nemtsov. It is unfortunate that some suggested that I linked the two issues. That was not my intention," as reported by Cyprus Mail.

President Anastasiades ratified eight bilateral agreements with Russia, during his travels last week. The two nations also secured a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Central Bank of Russia and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. The President of the Republic of Cyprus toured St. Petersburg, before traveling back to the island over the weekend.