Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday during a working visit to prepare for Cyprus’s EU Council presidency in 2026.
The two leaders held a private meeting followed by expanded talks between delegations from both countries.
In a post on X, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, who is part of the Cypriot delegation, said the visit is “deeply symbolic” and shows Cyprus expressing “in practical terms its full solidarity with the Ukrainian people and sends the message of steadfast commitment to the non-negotiable principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of every state”.
“Our peoples know, unfortunately, the tragic consequences of invasion and occupation, the challenge to freedom and territorial integrity. Our position is not only a matter of principle; it is deeply rooted in our own experience and in the continuous struggle for justice and restoration of our rights. This makes our support authentic, practical, and politically consistent,” Letymbiotis added.
Cyprus promotes European priorities concerning security, unity, and strengthening common political will, he noted.
The government spokesman said Cyprus supports every sincere diplomatic effort that can lead to a just and lasting peace, fully aligned with international law and the UN Charter, always in coordination with European and international partners.
“In the context of Cyprus’s EU Council presidency in 2026, enlargement will be a key priority, with Ukraine’s path to the European family high on our agenda and its progress a goal we will support consistently,” Letymbiotis said.
According to an update from Letymbiotis, the expanded talks between the Cyprus and Ukraine delegations, led by President Christodoulides and President Zelenskyy, have begun.
Discussions are expected to focus on further strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on international initiatives aimed at achieving a peace agreement in Ukraine.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and Nicosia’s efforts to restart substantive negotiations based on UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles.
EU–Ukraine relations will also be on the table, especially in view of Cyprus’s upcoming assumption of the EU Council presidency.
(information from CNA)