Ukraine is a central priority of Cyprus’s EU presidency, President Nikos Christodoulides told Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday during the Ukrainian leader’s first visit to the island.
Zelenskyy arrived at the Presidential Palace at 11:15 on Wednesday morning, where Christodoulides received him at the entrance. The Cypriot president had visited Kyiv just over a month ago.
“We are very happy to have you here on this very important day for Cyprus,” Christodoulides said, welcoming his Ukrainian counterpart. “It seems we have many positive developments and I look forward to your briefing on the latest developments and what we can do as EU Council Presidency to support the efforts of the US and the international community for a peace agreement.”
Zelenskyy thanked Christodoulides for the invitation and congratulated him on assuming the EU Council Presidency. “I think it is very important,” he said, expressing hope for “many steps forward” closer to the EU.
He thanked Cyprus for its support and particularly for the humanitarian aid received, assuring Christodoulides he would brief him on recent meetings with American and European partners.
Following the meeting, Christodoulides said in a post on X that he had a “substantial and constructive meeting with the President of Ukraine.”
“Cyprus reaffirms its steadfast and unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” he said, adding that “Cyprus, as a country that continues to experience the consequences of illegal invasion and ongoing occupation, fully understands what is at stake.”
He repeated that “Ukraine is a central priority of the Cyprus Presidency and every possible effort will be made to continue the EU’s multifaceted support at all levels.”
“Cyprus stands firmly with Ukraine for a just and sustainable peace, fully based on the UN Charter and with absolute respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Zelenskyy also met with Archbishop Georgios, who invited the Ukrainian president to visit Kyiv.
Early Wednesday afternoon, a quadrilateral meeting took place at the Presidential Palace between Christodoulides, Zelenskyy, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
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