Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Military School Students, Contracted Soldiers, Soldiers, Sailors, Squad Members, Reservists, National Guardsmen and Civilian Personnel of the National Guard,

With feelings of pride and emotion, we celebrate today the 65th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Cyprus. October 1st marks the recognition of Cyprus as an independent state and its establishment as a sovereign and equal member of the Community of Nations.

65 years later, the Independence of Cyprus remains the crowning event in the island's modern history, because our ancestors, after centuries of Ottoman rule and colonialism, defying the negative balance of power, dared, fought and, ultimately, tasted the supreme good of Freedom, a long-standing and pious desire of generations and generations of Greek Cypriots and the entire Nation.

At a time when international omens were against it, the boldness, heroism and sacrifice of the fighters of the legendary EOKA, as well as national unity, were crucial to the successful outcome of the Armed Liberation Struggle.

The entire Cypriot people, men and women, regardless of age, famous and unknown, a multitude of priests and clergy, following in the footsteps of the Greek Revolution of 1821, placed themselves at the disposal of the Homeland and proclaimed to all humanity that the Greeks of Cyprus, genuine descendants of glorious ancestors, are determined to live free or die.

The result of the decisive and unyielding Struggle of 1955-1959 was the signing of the Zurich-London Treaty, which formed the framework for the free governance of the Cypriot people, which was followed by the ceremony of establishing the Republic of Cyprus on August 16, 1960, a day which marked the end of colonialism.

Since its establishment, the newly established Cypriot state has joined important international organizations, with the highest point being its accession to the great family of the European Union. It has steadily and continuously marched on the global stage, based on the principles and rules of International Law and functioning as a pillar of balance and stability in the sensitive region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

The path, however, has never been easy. Since the early years of independence, the state has been tested by crises, conflicts and external interventions, culminating in the painful, to this day, consequences of the Turkish invasion and the uprooting of thousands of Greek Cypriots from their ancestral homes.

Women and Men of the National Guard,

The current events within and outside our borders, the 51-year illegal occupation of 1/3 of the island, as well as the evolving Turkish provocation, do not allow for any complacency. Having as a basis of reference that the enemy is not at the gates but within the gates, we are obliged to operate 24 hours a day in a state of constant readiness, without any margin for inaction, to defend the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus on land, sea and air.  

The anniversary of October 1st ^is an inspiration to remain committed to our duty and Mission. Freedom is not given and the path of struggle and sacrifice never ends.

So, on the occasion of today and drawing inspiration from the glorious heroes of our Nation, I call on you to continue, as never before, to continuously improve in order to strengthen the operational readiness and combat capability of our Formations and Units. The cooperation, coordination and mobilization of all is required. No one is left out in this effort.

It is up to us to prove ourselves worthy of the historical debt and responsibility bequeathed to us by our ancestors. We owe it to the Cyprus of today, to the Cyprus of tomorrow, to our children and to the generations that will follow.

Expressing our respect and gratitude to the heroic freedom fighters for what they have given us, we promise them that we are ready to respond to every challenge with speed, determination, precision and flexibility, bringing about the desired result "in place and time".

With these thoughts and a wish for prosperity and success in the efforts to liberate our Cyprus, I call on you to exclaim:

                                                                                       Long live the Nation 

                                                                                       Long live Cyprus!

                                                                                      Long live the National Guard

Lieutenant General George Tsitsikostas

Stavros Lygeros’s The War in Ukraine Unveiled – Beyond the Narratives is a deeply researched and provocative study of one of the most consequential conflicts of the 21st century. Written in real time as the war and its global repercussions unfolded, the book offers both a sweeping geopolitical analysis and a sharp critique of the dominant narratives that have shaped Western public opinion since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Scope and Structure

The book is organized into five major sections, beginning with the antecedents of the war—including NATO expansion, the Maidan events, and the Minsk Agreements—before moving through the military and diplomatic phases under the Biden and Trump administrations, the ideological dimensions of the war, and the far-reaching geoeconomic implications. Lygeros carefully situates the Ukraine conflict within broader shifts in international relations, from the rise of multipolarity to the reconfiguration of Europe’s economic standing and the expanding role of China and BRICS+.

What distinguishes Lygeros’s work is its chronological method: events are examined as they unfolded, avoiding the distortion of hindsight. This makes the analysis especially compelling, as it captures the uncertainty, shifting perceptions, and evolving strategies of all major actors involved.

Strengths

Lygeros succeeds in challenging simplistic portrayals of the war as an unprovoked act of Russian aggression devoid of historical or geopolitical context. Without excusing Moscow’s actions—he repeatedly describes the invasion as illegal and condemnable—he interrogates the Western role in escalating tensions, the dismissive treatment of Russia’s security concerns, and the information war that has shaped global understanding of the conflict.

His chapters on the geoeconomic dimension are particularly strong, detailing not only how Russia weathered unprecedented sanctions but also how Europe, especially Germany, has borne long-term costs in competitiveness and energy dependence. The sections on ideology and propaganda likewise highlight how perceptions of Putin, Ukraine, and the West have been framed, weaponized, and in some cases distorted.

Another strength is Lygeros’s integration of sources, ranging from Western think tanks and journalism to official documents and testimonies. By relying largely on Western data, he positions his critique not as an exercise in pro-Russian apologetics, but as an appeal for a more balanced and historically informed debate.

Style and Readership

The prose is analytical, dense with references, and at times polemical, but always accessible to a broad audience of readers interested in geopolitics, international relations, and contemporary history. Unlike purely academic treatments, Lygeros writes with urgency and conviction, reflecting both his journalistic background and his conviction that Ukraine is a crucible of a much larger global transformation.

Limitations

Some readers may find the book’s framing controversial, particularly in its insistence that the war was avoidable and provoked by Western strategic miscalculations. Critics might argue that this perspective risks downplaying Russian agency and responsibility. Additionally, while the book foregrounds geopolitics and macroeconomic trends, it devotes comparatively less attention to Ukrainian society’s internal dynamics beyond the East–West divide, which could have added nuance to its analysis.

Finally, as the book is published before a definitive peace settlement, its conclusions remain provisional. Lygeros himself acknowledges that future editions will need to revisit the conflict’s eventual resolution.

In conclusion

The War in Ukraine Unveiled – Beyond the Narratives is a substantial and challenging contribution to the literature on the Ukraine conflict. It is not a detached or “neutral” account but rather a bold attempt to interrogate official narratives, situate the war in its proper geopolitical context, and anticipate its implications for global order.

For policymakers, journalists, scholars, and engaged readers seeking to move beyond soundbites and propaganda, Lygeros offers a rigorous and unsettling perspective. Whether one agrees with all of his conclusions or not, this book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand not just the war in Ukraine, but the future of international relations.

The book is available for purchase here

The World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025 opened on September 29 in Barcelona, with delegations from over 160 UNESCO member states, international organizations, and civil society actors.