Special to WorldTribune.com

Russian ships were granted access to ports in Cyprus in an agreement between Vladimir Putin and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

The deal, which was projected in the Backgrounder column of Geostrategy-Direct, comes as tensions build between Moscow and the West over the Russian incursions into Ukraine.

Cyprus hosts British military bases. London plans to send military trainers to Ukraine.

Anastasiades said Russia may also be granted access to air bases on Cyprus for relief operations.

  Cyprus signs deal to allow Russian navy to use ports