President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine expects substantial progress on the path to joining the European Union in the coming months. He said these words during a briefing with Cyprus’s President Nikos Christodoulides, who is visiting Kyiv on an official visit for the first time.
According to the Ukrainian leader, the visit of the Cypriot colleague ahead of Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union serves as an important signal of political support for Ukraine.
The head of state stressed that the Cypriot presidency could become a historic starting point in opening new negotiating clusters and in making decisions necessary to move Ukraine toward EU membership.
He also noted that Europe is shaping a new global role, and Ukraine plays a key unifying role in this process.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to Cyprus for stable political support and a constructive stance during EU integration negotiations.
“We expect that the coming months will bring greater progress on Ukraine’s path to the EU. And the Cypriot presidency could be a historic milestone in opening clusters for Ukraine and other necessary decisions”
– Zelensky
Prospects and the Role of Partners in EU Integration
During the meeting, the parties discussed preparing a new EU sanctions package against Russia and stepping up pressure on the Russian energy sector, as well as closing schemes used to circumvent restrictions.
Ukraine expects Cyprus to play an active role in advancing European decisions regarding Russian assets to be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
A separate topic of the talks was the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky thanked Cyprus for supporting the UN General Assembly resolution and stressed the need for global efforts to free all Ukrainians who are detained.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed that his country will continue to stand on the right side of history – on Ukraine’s side. He stressed that Ukraine’s security is inextricably linked with the security of the whole EU, and expressed willingness to support strengthening the sanctions regime and further enlarging the EU.
“I would also like to talk at this point about enlargement. Because it is Ukraine’s conscious choice to become part of the European Union, but we are also talking about geopolitical issues. We must advance the European Union’s enlargement procedures, strengthening also our collective security and our democratic resilience”
– President of Cyprus
Christodoulides assured that during Cyprus’s presidency the issue of Ukraine will remain one of the key ones.