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President Nikos Christodoulides touched down in Kyiv early Thursday morning, kicking off a packed working visit that puts Cyprus squarely in the middle of Europe’s biggest geopolitical challenge.
Christodoulides arrived by train at 8 a.m., where he was greeted by Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, Yevgeny Perebynskyi, and Ukraine’s ambassador to Cyprus, Sergey Nizhynskyi. The visit comes as Nicosia prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 and wants to make it clear that Cyprus plans to play an active role in Ukraine.
Officials say the trip signals Cyprus’ “firm political will” to support European priorities and stand by Kyiv. And Christodoulides isn’t arriving empty-handed: he’s expected to present Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with 19 proposals Cyprus wants to push during its presidency, many of them directly tied to Ukraine.
From memorials to high-stakes talks
Christodoulides began the day with a wreath-laying at the “Wall of Heroes,” the sprawling memorial outside the Monastery of Archangel Michael, lined with photos of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
By late morning, he will head to the Mariinskyi Presidential Palace for a one-on-one meeting with Zelensky, followed by broader talks between the two delegations and joint statements to the press. A working lunch is also planned.
The Cypriot president will then visit Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, for a meeting with Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, before heading to a rehabilitation center for children who were abducted and later returned from Russian-occupied territories. He will also visit the historic Hagia Sophia Cathedral.
He’s traveling with Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Director of the Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, and other officials.
Cyprus’ proposals to Ukraine
According to information shared with CNA, Cyprus views the visit as a chance to underline that its upcoming presidency will highlight not only the eastern Mediterranean — traditionally Cyprus’ focus — but also Ukraine.
Among the proposals Christodoulides will put on Zelensky’s desk:
- Hosting an informal Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv during the Cyprus presidency
- Holding select EU working group meetings in Ukraine
- Elevating the issue of abducted Ukrainian children
- Inviting Zelensky to the informal European Council in April and the opening ceremony of Cyprus’ EU presidency in January 2026
Christodoulides is also expected to raise concerns about the circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia. Nicosia will present evidence pointing to Turkish companies allegedly helping bypass restrictions and hopes Ukraine will use its leverage with Ankara.
Another sensitive point on the agenda: urging Kyiv to align fully with EU foreign policy as it moves toward EU membership, particularly regarding Ukraine’s close cooperation with Turkey.
Cyprus will additionally ask for updates on the situation on the ground, recent negotiations in Moscow, and the ongoing debate within the EU about using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine, a move currently facing pushback from Belgium, where most of those assets are held.
Christodoulides is also expected to bring up the listing of 37 Cypriot citizens and 227 Cyprus-based companies on Ukraine’s sanctions list, which Nicosia says is based on unverified allegations.
US briefing also on schedule
Shortly after arriving, Christodoulides is scheduled to meet Julie Davis, the U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Kyiv, who will brief him on the latest peace negotiations and Washington’s assessments.
More developments are expected throughout the day as the two leaders take their proposals and disagreements behind closed doors, with Nicosia hoping to shape Europe’s stance on Ukraine long before Cyprus takes the EU helm next year.
