President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Nicosia on Wednesday, January 7, for an official visit marking the commencement of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The centerpiece of the trip was a meeting between the Ukrainian head of state and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace. The visit takes place against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and Kyiv’s intensified diplomatic efforts to bolster international support. Negotiations covered security and sanctions, as well as the humanitarian dimension of bilateral cooperation.
Meeting with the President of Cyprus
During the talks in Nicosia, the presidents of Ukraine and Cyprus focused on increasing pressure on the Russian Federation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that sanctions policy was a key issue, specifically the need for additional restrictions against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and the development of proposals for the European Union’s 20th sanctions package.
The leaders also held separate discussions regarding security cooperation. Topics included strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, the production and supply of drones, and Cyprus’s participation in the PURL and SAFE programs. Zelenskyy further acknowledged Cyprus’s contribution to the “Coalition of the Willing.”
The Ukrainian President paid particular attention to the issue of European integration. He expressed hope that during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, significant progress could be made in opening negotiation clusters.
“The Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union has now begun and will continue through the first half of this year. We are working to ensure that during this period, we make maximum progress in opening negotiation clusters and moving toward Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” Zelenskyy noted.
The Spiritual Dimension of the Visit
As part of his visit to Cyprus, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also met with the Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, His Beatitude Georgios, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus. The President shared details of the meeting via his Telegram channel.
The discussion focused on humanitarian support for Ukraine and the role of the Church during wartime. Zelenskyy briefed the Archbishop on Ukraine’s efforts to achieve peace and emphasized the vital importance of assistance for Ukrainian citizens.
“I provided an update on our efforts to achieve peace. For Ukraine and our people right now, during the war, humanitarian support is crucial—including medical and food aid, as well as resources for the restoration of religious sites,” Zelenskyy said.
According to reports, President Zelenskyy will participate in the opening ceremony of the Republic of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union later today. He is also scheduled to hold talks with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Conclusion
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip to Cyprus serves as another example of Ukraine’s active diplomacy in wartime. The meetings with the country’s political and spiritual leadership demonstrate Cyprus’s readiness to continue supporting Ukraine in both humanitarian and political spheres. The visit underscored the importance of maintaining international solidarity and a comprehensive approach to supporting Ukraine—ranging from sanctions and military aid to moral support for Ukrainian society.
