Russia wants to mediate in Turkey's dispute with Cyprus over oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the proposal during a meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades on Tuesday. News from Al Jazeera.

Moscow is ready to mediate in any talks between Turkey and Cyprus, the report said. "We are ready to mediate on the basis of bilateral relations," Sergei Lavrov told the Cypriot president in Nicosia.

Greece and Turkey have long been at loggerheads over oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean. Turkey has recently decided to explore for oil and gas in its own part near Cyprus. And Greece has taken a stand against it. The European Union (EU) is supporting Greece.

As a result, both Greece and Turkey have increased their warships and air drills in the Mediterranean. There has been a lot of tension between the two countries for some time.