National Guard Chief, Lieutenant General George Tsitsikostas, expressed Cyprus’ support for Europe undertaking the initiative to shape security guarantees for Ukraine, at the Paris defence and strategy forum (PDSF).

Despite its small size and limited capabilities, Cyprus has “a strong and clear will to contribute substantially” to the effort, and supports the proposal for a future operation, Tsitsikostas told attendees at a meeting of European Union army chiefs without their US counterparts, on Tuesday.

Participants in the closed-door gathering of 34 army chiefs, including Nato alliance and EU members as well as Japan and Australia, assessed options and capabilities to guarantee Ukraine’s security in the event of a ceasefire, including the deployment of European peacekeepers, and the maintenance of Kyiv’s long term military strength.

Tsitsikostas told the gathering that Cyprus is ready to participate within the framework of its capabilities.

A press release said that on the sidelines of the conference Tsitsikostas participated in a closed meeting co-organized by chiefs of the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The meeting focused on options for supporting Ukraine and providing security guarantees following recent developments.

In his speech, Tsitsikostas stressed Cyprus’ steadfast support to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, highlighting the state’s solidarity with a people faced with serious security challenges.

He underlined Cyprus’ commitment to the principle of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its full participation in the negotiations.

Tsitsikostas in separate meetings exchanged views with his counterparts touching on issues of bilateral interest, as well as on the possibility of enhancing relations between the Cyprus national guard and the French armed forces.

“The participation of the Chief of the General Staff in the PDSF and particularly in the meeting on Ukraine, demonstrates the catalytic role played by the Republic of Cyprus in security and stability in the wider region of the southeastern Mediterranean, but also as an EU member state in the formation of its common foreign and defence policy,” the press release said.