Ukraine’s accession to the European Union must move from promise to reality, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday, using the opening ceremony of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU to press for decisive progress on enlargement. Addressing European leaders at the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) in Nicosia, Zelenskyy described EU membership as “one of the most important guarantees of peace and security” for Ukraine and for Europe as a whole, expressing hope that Cyprus’ presidency would help turn that goal into concrete action.
EU membership as a peace guarantee
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s place in the European Union is not merely a political aspiration but a strategic necessity for long-term stability. He said Europe’s strength lies in the principle that every free nation, regardless of size, has an equal voice and an equal right to belong.
Drawing a parallel with Cyprus, he described the island as a member state that remains divided yet fully equal within the EU, arguing that this reality illustrates what Europe truly represents. Ukraine, he said, deserves the same recognition and inclusion within the shared European home.
Cyprus presidency and enlargement momentum
Thanking President Nikos Christodoulides for their meeting earlier in the day, Zelenskyy welcomed Cyprus’ commitment to place Ukraine high on the agenda of its EU presidency. He singled out as particularly significant the ambition to open negotiation clusters simultaneously for Ukraine and Moldova, calling it a strong and positive signal for enlargement.
He said he hoped Cyprus’ presidency would help translate political intent into measurable progress on accession talks.
Support, sanctions and sustained pressure
Zelenskyy also underlined the importance of launching the implementation of the EU’s €90 billion support package for Ukraine during the Cypriot presidency. He stressed that funding mechanisms must be practical and effective, easing Ukraine’s challenges rather than creating new ones.
Turning to the war, he said peace negotiations have entered a new phase of intensity, involving Ukraine, the EU, the United States and a broad coalition of international partners. The war, he said, can only end if sustained pressure exhausts Russia’s ability to continue its aggression.
He welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen sanctions, including measures targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, arguing that every financial loss weakens the aggressor and brings peace closer.
Europe’s strength through unity
The Ukrainian president emphasised that support must remain consistent across all parts of Europe, thanking Cyprus for its solidarity and recent high-level engagement with Kyiv. He also pointed to the EU’s SAFE programme, saying its success would make Europe stronger and that Cyprus’ leadership during its presidency would be critical to that effort.
Concluding his remarks, Zelenskyy said he hoped the coming months would see Europe emerge stronger, safer and more united. He reiterated his belief that Ukraine’s EU membership is not only a Ukrainian objective, but a European one.
“Together,” he said, “we can help secure peace — for Ukraine and for all of Europe.”