As European leaders shamelessly lecture President Trump about the sanctity of Ukraine’s borders, their own hypocrisy is on full display​ as they continue to ignore Turkey’s 50-year occupation of Cyprus.

The sovereign Republic of Cyprus was invaded by Turkey over 50 years ago and remains occupied, contrary to international law. Numerous lives were lost, and the Cypriots were summarily shunned by the Europeans. Indeed, the Turkish atrocities in Cyprus have been the victim of a conspiracy of silence for five decades.

Of course, only the most ardent Putin supporters would condone the illegal invasion of Ukraine. It was unconscionable and the toll of war has been horrendous for both sides.  The previous Russian invasions of Georgia and Crimea were also a clear violation of international law.

Because of the strategic policies of President Trump, the opportunity for a peace agreement​ is within sight.

To be sure, the president of the Republic of Cyprus does not walk around in combat fatigues or make guest appearances at the Golden Globe Awards. But the cause of Cyprus is no less just than that of Ukraine.

Cyprus has proven itself to be a steadfast and critical ally to the United States at every possible juncture. The United States maintains an Air Force base in Cyprus and played a critical role in the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Lebanon, all while a significant portion of their nation remains occupied. Cyprus is even assisting in the current conflict by providing expertise on mine sweeping operations.

While European leaders appear content to pontificate as this protracted war continues, Cypriot leaders are likely wondering why do these same leaders ignore them? Are decades of European inaction being used to justify continued inaction? Or is it that Europe’s newfound moral outrage about borders can be conveniently overlooked due to Turkey’s geopolitical location?

French President Emmanuel Macron has recently sounded a bellicose tone on Ukraine and proclaimed “To remain a spectator in this dangerous world would be crazy,” and that “the path to peace cannot be achieved by abandoning Ukraine.” But ironically that’s precisely how Europe behaved towards Cyprus: it abandoned Cyprus and has remained a spectator for 50 years.

The next time a European leader lectures President Trump and Vice President Vance, perhaps they ought to be asked why it is acceptable for them to permit an illegal occupation by Turkey of a European Union member state.  As Americans are once again ​covering much of the cost of Europe’s defense, Europeans are quite content to demand intervention. But when it comes to Cyprus, they prefer to ignore it because it is not fashionable.

Their hypocrisy cannot be ignored and thanks to President Trump’s vision and commitment to peace, the Ukraine war will likely be resolved soon in spite of European diplomats, not because of them. Perhaps those same European leaders will make 2025 the year they stand up for the people of Cyprus and rule of law as well.

George G. Demos is an adjunct professor at U.C Davis School of Law where he teaches Corporate & White Collar Crime and a former United States Securities & Exchange Commission Enforcement Attorney.

Jack Kalavritinos is a former senior official in the Trump and George W. Bush Administrations and is founder of the strategic consulting firm JK Strategies.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, speaks with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, right, during a round table meeting at an EU Summit in Brussels, earlier this month. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)