Nicosia: President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday afternoon for a joint meeting on Ukraine with President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides, in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Zelensky was the first to arrive, followed shortly by von der Leyen and Costa, who were received by President Christodoulides on the steps of the Presidential Palace. A commemorative photo was taken as all four leaders exited the palace.
Prior to their joint meeting, President Christodoulides emphasized the significance of the day and expressed Cyprus's readiness to collaborate during its six-month Presidency to foster an autonomous EU that is open to the world.
The President of the Republic will also engage in a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Council to coordinate efforts on European priorities, focusing on ensuring the Union's cohesion amid international challenges and enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy, security, and resilience.
Additionally, President Christodoulides is scheduled to meet with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to discuss stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, regional developments, and strengthening cooperation channels between the EU and the Southern Neighborhood.
Later in the day, an opening ceremony of the Cyprus EU Presidency will take place at the Cyprus Theatre Organization building in Nicosia. The event will be attended by European institution heads, state leaders, and representatives from various organizations.
The ceremony will feature prominent figures, including the President of the European Court of Auditors Tony Murphy, the President of Moldova Maia Sandu, the President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid, and several others. Representatives from Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will also be present at a ministerial level.
President Nikos Christodoulides will host an official dinner for the heads of the 14 official delegations at the Leventis Gallery in Nicosia. Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time on January 1st, 2026.