Nicosia: Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed hope for significant progress during Cyprus' upcoming term at the helm of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026. This message was conveyed during a meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, on Wednesday morning in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides welcomed Zelensky, who was visiting Cyprus for the first time, at the Presidential Palace. The meeting coincided with the opening ceremony of the Cyprus EU Presidency scheduled for later that day. In his welcoming remarks, President Christodoulides expressed his pleasure at having Zelensky present on such an important occasion for Cyprus.
President Christodoulides highlighted the ongoing positive developments and expressed eagerness to discuss potential actions that the Presidency of the Council of the European Union could undertake to support international efforts for a peace deal. Zelensky, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the invitation and congratulated President Christodoulides on the assumption of the EU Council Presidency.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of this period, expressing optimism that during the Cyprus EU Presidency, there would be substantial progress towards closer ties with the EU. He also expressed appreciation for Cyprus' humanitarian support during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Ukrainian President indicated his intention to brief Christodoulides on his recent meetings with US and European partners. Following their meeting, President Christodoulides shared on X his positive reflections on the discussions with Zelensky, which came weeks after his own visit to Kyiv. He reiterated Cyprus' unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Christodoulides drew parallels between Cyprus' own experiences with invasion and occupation and Ukraine's current challenges. He reaffirmed that Ukraine would be a central focus during the Cyprus EU Presidency, pledging to work towards sustained support on all fronts.
In closing, Christodoulides expressed solidarity with Ukraine's pursuit of a just and lasting peace, firmly anchored in the UN Charter and respecting Ukraine's sovereignty. Cyprus itself has faced division since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern region. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution remains elusive, with the last discussions in 2017 at Crans-Montana ending without agreement.