The United States is worried that Russia might be attempting to use Malta as a naval base “for its malign activities in the Mediterranean region”, a report in The Telegraph says.

The report, “Why Vladimir Putin is taking his big gamble”, written by Defence Editor Con Coughlin, says that Malta has become “the latest target of Russian activity – to the consternation of both the US and the EU”.

Sources close to the Foreign Ministry said however that the US has not expressed any such worried to the Foreign Minister. 

The report says that a quarter of the people buying a Maltese passport – which is providing a “soft entry-point” to the EU and its financial markets – are Russian.

Written before Russia’s attack on the Ukraine, the report speaks about diplomatic efforts that were being made at the time to avoid the escalation of the conflict.

In the last part of the article, the situation in the Mediterranean is analysed:

“Indeed, the Mediterranean as a whole is a major area of interest for the Kremlin. These days Russia is so well-established in Cyprus that the island has become known as “Moscow in the Med”, while, further to the west, Malta has become the latest target of Russian activity – to the consternation of both the US and the EU.

“Washington has expressed concern in recent months that the Kremlin is attempting to use Malta as a soft-entry point for access to the European Union and international financial markets. Recent figures show that a quarter of all applicants for Malta’s “golden passport” scheme, which allows high-income individuals to acquire a Maltese passport within one to three years, are Russian citizens.

“The island is also a useful launch pad for Moscow’s activities in Libya, as well as other parts of North Africa, and the Pentagon is worried that Moscow might be trying to use Malta as a naval base for its malign activities in the Mediterranean region,” the article said.

Sources close to the Foreign Ministry said that since the article was published, Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo had spoken to the Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried and at no time did she express such preoccupation mentioned in the article. She would have mentioned it for sure if the US had some form of concern, the ministry said.

Russia does not need Malta to enter Libya. It already had a base there as well as in Mali and Sahel. It is irresponsible and incorrect to put Malta in the picture in this way, the sources said.

Prime Minister Robert Abela, who is in Brussels today to discuss the developing situation in the Ukraine with his European counterparts, has said that Malta’s position on the conflict is the same as that of the EU.

In comments on One Radio, Abela said that Malta will remain consistent in its neutrality and in favour of peace. 

Asked earlier this week about the passports scheme, Abela refused to say whether Malta will continue to allow Russian nationals to buy Maltese citizenship.

Replying to questions Abela would only say on Wednesday that the Individual Investor Programme is 'robust' and operates strong due diligence policies.

The full article on The Telegraph may be read here