Ukraine's Embassy in the Republic of Cyprus on Tuesday described media reports on the alleged acquisition of a casino in Turkish occupied Kyrenia by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as 'yet another lie aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its leadership' and creating 'diplomatic tensions' between Kiyv and Nicosia. Earlier, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, asked about these reports, said that the competent services of the Republic of Cyprus have investigated the matter and that 'so far, nothing of the sort has emerged'. The Embassy, in its statement regarding media reports about 'Vuni Palace Casino and Hotel', said that 'Russian propaganda spreads a fake story that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has allegedly become the owner of one of the largest casinos in Europe, which is located in Cyprus.' In reality, it said, 'this fake information is yet another lie aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its leadership in the eyes of the world community.' 'The mentioned fake story claims that the company which acquired the «Vuni Palace Hotel and Casino», located in Kyrenia, Cyprus, supposedly belongs to Volodymyr Zelenskyy,' the Embassy said, noting that the publication provides no evidence to support its claim. 'The information itself is false,' it said. 'Its dissemination is also intended to create diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Cyprus,' it added. The Embassy urged readers and media professionals to trust only reliable sources 'and be cautious of manipulations and Russian propaganda.' Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. Last January, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cy prus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency
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