Stakes couldn’t be higher

Cypriots are struggling through a sorry saga while their leaders figure out a solution, even though potential EU and Russian saviours are keeping their cards hidden. It’s a situation Europe is all too familiar with, says Kyran Fitzgerald

Ordinary Cypriots are living through a nightmare as they join lengthy queues at rapidly emptying bank machines and wonder whether their savings will still be extant come next week.

The return, empty- handed, of finance minister Michael Sarris from a visit to Moscow leaves the Cypriot government with few options as it heads into crunch weekend negotiations with Europe’s leadership.