Ahead of the Cyprus EU Presidency opening ceremony on Wednesday, President Nikos Christodoulides met at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for over 40 minutes.
Welcoming Zelenskyy on his first visit to Cyprus, Christodoulides said he looked forward to being briefed on the many “positive developments" taking place and to what the Cyprus EU Presidency can do to help US efforts to reach a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of their closed-door meeting, Zelenskyy said he hoped for many "steps forward" during Cyprus’ EU Presidency that bring his country closer to the EU. He also thanked Christodoulides for the "humanitarian support especially during this war, during Russia's attack".
In a tweet after the meeting, Christodoulides said “Ukraine will be a central priority of our Presidency” adding that Cyprus will work to ensure sustained support at all levels.
“We stand firmly with you as you work for a just and lasting peace, firmly rooted on the UN Charter and fully respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Cypriot president reaffirmed Cyprus’ steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “As a country that still lives with the consequences of illegal invasion and ongoing military occupation, we fully understand what is at stake,” he said.
Fruitful meeting with President 🇺🇦 @ZelenskyyUa, weeks after my visit to Kyiv. Cyprus reaffirms its steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. As a country that still lives with the consequences of illegal invasion and ongoing military occupation, we… pic.twitter.com/7Lpu3OGIea
— President of the Republic of Cyprus (@PresidentCYP) January 7, 2026
Following the discussion between the two presidents, Zelenskyy was taken to the Archbishopric for a meeting with Archbishop Georgios who expressed his support to the Ukrainian people.
Welcoming the Ukrainian president, the Archbishop of Cyprus expressed hope that God would help Ukraine and its people, noting that Orthodox Christians have faith that God loves justice. "He may test us, but we believe that one day He will come to our aid.” He also mentioned that he is in communication with Metropolitan Epiphanius I, head of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, recognised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In contrast, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church remains under the Moscow Patriarchate and is led by Metropolitan Onuphry.
For his part, Volodymyr Zelenskyy warmly thanked the Archbishop for the meeting, thanking him for remembering Ukraine and the Ukrainian people with such warmth. "You also remember your own visits to Ukraine,” he said, adding that this support is extremely important, especially at a time of war. He extended an invitation to the Archbishop to visit Kyiv so that they could meet again there.
Speaking after the meeting, Georgios said the situations in Cyprus and Ukraine are similar, with both countries under occupation. “Some churches are being destroyed here as well as there, and therefore we exchanged views on this issue, as well as on further strengthening the ties between our Churches,” he said.
The Ukrainian president will return to the Presidential Palace in the afternoon for a joint meeting with Christodoulides and the Presidents of the European Council and Commission, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.
Meanwhile, to mark Zelenskyy's first visit to Cyprus, a group of Ukrainian citizens held a rally in Eleftheria Square at around the same time as his meeting with Christodoulides.
The crowd chanted slogans in favor of the European Union's support for Ukraine.
Earlier, Zelenskyy was greeted at the airport by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades.