Government officials are probing accusations that tie Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the ownership of the Vuni Palace Hotel and Casino in the occupied region of northern Cyprus, as reported by Turkish media outlets. The reports suggest that Zelenskyy’s company, Film Heritage Inc., completed the acquisition of the establishment in Kyrenia in early May 2024. While the exact amount paid for the purchase was not disclosed, online records indicate an asking price of £150 million for the Vuni Palace.
However, the validity of these claims has been questioned, with the Russian research institute “GnidaProject” dismissing them as “fake news” via Twitter. A spokesperson for the hotel also denied the allegations in statements to the Cyprus Mail. The timing of the allegations, surfacing just before European Parliament elections, has led analysts to cast doubt on their credibility, particularly considering their rapid dissemination on pro-Russian social media platforms.
In response to inquiries, Victoras Papadopoulos, the Director of the President’s Press Office, stated that the Republic of Cyprus has no information regarding any such purchase by Zelenskyy’s company. Nevertheless, Papadopoulos mentioned that the matter is under investigation, expressing hope that it does not signify a form of hybrid warfare initiated by the Turkish side.
