John Breslow, the new United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Cyprus, presented his credentials to President Nikos Christodoulides on 9 September. The ceremony formally marks the start of his diplomatic posting in Nicosia, following his confirmation by the US Senate last month.
Arrival and confirmation timeline
Ambassador Breslow arrived in Nicosia on 5 September 2026 to begin his tenure at the head of the US Embassy. He was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on 21 October 2025 and confirmed by the Senate on 7 August 2026.
“The sky is the limit” when it comes to relations between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.
Speaking as he departed the Presidential Palace for his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, and asked about Cyprus-US relations, particularly following his meeting with the country’s new Ambassador to Cyprus, who presented him with his credentials, he noted that they had agreed that “the sky is the limit when we talk about US–Republic of Cyprus relations”.
“To put it in four words, what we said with the new US Ambassador, whom I will also see next week for a regular meeting - today’s meeting was part of the presentation of his credentials - is that ‘the sky is the limit’ when we talk about US-Republic of Cyprus relations,” he said.
Background in business and public service
Before entering diplomatic service, Ambassador Breslow built a career spanning business, sport ownership, public office and philanthropy. He served as Owner and Chairman of Linweld, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of industrial, medical and specialty gases and welding supplies. He also holds minority ownership stakes in the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League and the Bournemouth Cherries of the Premier League, and previously served as Alternate Governor on the NHL's Board of Governors.
In public office, Breslow served two terms as State Auditor of Public Accounts in Nebraska and later ran for Governor of Nebraska. Earlier in his career, he served as Commissioner of the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Philanthropic and civic roles
Ambassador Breslow has held several civic and charitable leadership positions, including Chairman of the Madonna Foundation, a seat on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Lincoln, Nebraska, and a seat on the Board of Directors of EMT Corp.
Personal background
A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ambassador Breslow holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He is also an experienced pilot with over 48 years of flight experience. He has been married to Sonia Breslow for over fifty years, and the couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
