The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, visited Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv on Thursday. Cyprus promised its strong support for Ukraine and said it will help Ukraine join the European Union.
Cyprus understands the problem of invasion because of its own history. In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, and the island is still divided today. Because of this, Cyprus feels a strong connection to Ukraine. The Cypriot President said this feeling turns into real action. When Cyprus leads the Council of the European Union in 2026, it will make Ukraine's EU membership a top goal.
The two leaders also talked about practical help. Cyprus supports European sanctions against Russia and has given a home to about 25,000 Ukrainians who left because of the war. President Christodoulides also said some EU countries are too neutral, which weakens Europe's united support.
After the meetings, the Cypriot President said, "Cyprus stands by the side of Ukraine, on the right side of history." A government spokesman added that Ukraine's future in Europe will be very important during Cyprus's EU leadership.
This visit is important for Ukraine. It means Ukraine has a strong supporter inside the EU at a critical time. The visit also helps build stronger economic and political ties between the two countries. Cyprus's clear position, based on its own difficult history, adds an important voice to discussions in Europe.