Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides is in Kyiv today for a working visit centred on his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit comes at a critical moment for both countries, as preparations intensify for Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026. According to official sources, Nicosia views this mission as an opportunity to reaffirm its political support for Ukraine and to demonstrate its readiness to contribute actively to European priorities.
President Christodoulides arrived in the Ukrainian capital early this morning and was welcomed at the central train station by Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Cyprus Sergii Nizhynskyi. His programme began with a visit to the Wall of Heroes, the memorial honouring fallen soldiers on the outer wall of Saint Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery.
He arrived at the Mariinskyi Palace, where he is meeting now with President Zelenskyy. Bilateral discussions will be followed by extended talks between the two delegations, statements to the media and a working lunch. Later, the President will visit Ukraine’s Parliament for a meeting with the Speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and in the afternoon he will tour a special rehabilitation centre for children who were abducted and returned from captivity in occupied territories, as well as Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Information obtained by the Cyprus News Agency indicates that Christodoulides will convey Nicosia’s readiness to implement a series of initiatives during its EU Presidency in support of Ukraine. These include nineteen proposals ranging from hosting an informal Foreign Affairs Council in Kiev to holding selected EU working group meetings in Ukraine. Other proposals include raising awareness about abducted Ukrainian children and inviting President Zelenskyy to both the informal European Council in April and the inaugural ceremony marking the start of the Cyprus Presidency in January 2026.
The Cypriot President is also expected to raise several key issues. These include the circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia, with Nicosia intending to present evidence concerning Turkish companies allegedly involved in reducing the sanctions’ effectiveness. The need for Ukraine to align with EU foreign policy positions, especially in light of its candidate status, is also anticipated to feature prominently.
Christodoulides will request updates on the situation on the ground and on peace negotiations held in Moscow. Discussions will additionally cover the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, a matter currently debated among EU member states and facing reported resistance from Belgium, where most of the assets are held. The Cypriot side will also raise the matter of the 37 Cypriot citizens and 227 companies placed on Ukraine’s sanctions list.
The delegation includes Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, the Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis and other officials.
Source: CNA