Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said on Tuesday that Cyprus cannot accept the US proposal to deliver its Russian-made weapons to Ukraine because it would leave gaps in the country's deterrence capabilities.

Petrides was replying to press claims that anonymous US officials had asked the Cypriot government if it would be willing to transfer all or part of the Russian-made arms it possesses to Ukraine.  He added that legal issues could develop as a result of a clause prohibiting the sale of military systems obtained from Russia to other parties.

Following the European Union's (EU) sanctions on Russia, Cyprus is currently obsessed with concerns connected to the maintenance of its Russian-made armaments, according to Petrides.

Cyprus currently employs two types of Russian anti-aircraft systems that were acquired after the United States imposed an arms embargo on Cyprus in 1974.

Ukraine-Russia conflict made significant consequences on global economy: Jaishankar

EU proposing fifth sanction package against Russia

Greece, Cyprus, Israel pledge to strengthen energy cooperation