In today’s episode, the foreign ministry is in negotiations with Brussels in the hopes of securing an exemption from EU sanctions against Russia in case Cyprus is unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary aerial support equipment needed for firefighting.

Elsewhere, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides has pledged support for vulnerable groups in the face of growing inflation and rising costs.

In other news, Cyprus has become the first EU member-state to achieve 100 per cent 5G population coverage, even in its most remote areas.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.