President Nikos Christodoulides is in Kyiv on Thursday for talks that could help define the tone of Nicosia’s upcoming EU Council Presidency.

During the visit, he is expected to present President Volodymyr Zelensky with a detailed set of proposals on how Cyprus intends to support Ukraine when it assumes the presidency in the first half of 2026.

Officials in Nicosia see the trip as a strategic moment. It allows Cyprus to show that its presidency will not be limited to issues in the eastern Mediterranean but will also prioritise Europe’s response to the ongoing war.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, Christodoulides will brief Zelensky on 19 proposals drawn up by the Cypriot government.

President Nikos Christodoulides on board the train to Kiev

They include plans to host an informal Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv and to organise selected EU working group meetings in Ukraine. Several proposals focus on raising the profile of the issue of abducted Ukrainian children.

Nicosia also intends to extend invitations to Zelensky for major political events during the presidency. These include the informal European Council meeting planned for April and, should he choose to attend, the opening ceremony of the Cypriot Presidency on January 7, 2026.

Another point on the agenda is the circumvention of EU sanctions imposed on Russia. Christodoulides is expected to present Zelensky with information suggesting that Turkish companies are helping to bypass restrictions.

Cyprus argues this undermines the sanctions regime and hopes Ukraine will press Turkey to address the issue.

Ukraine’s alignment with EU foreign policy is also due to be discussed, given its status as an EU candidate country. The conversation is likely to touch on Zelensky’s previous remarks about Turkey’s importance in supporting Ukraine, and how this fits with broader EU positions.

Christodoulides will ask for a fresh assessment of the situation on the ground and for insight into the recent talks held in Moscow.

The question of frozen Russian assets is also expected to feature, as EU member states examine ways to use these funds to support Ukraine. Belgium has raised objections due to the large share, around nine in ten, of assets held within its jurisdiction.

Another sensitive matter concerns 37 Cypriot citizens and 227 Cyprus-registered companies placed on Ukraine’s sanctions list.

Cypriot officials say the listings were made on the basis of claims submitted by Ukrainian authorities. Christodoulides is expected to request clarity on the process.

After landing in Kyiv on Thursday morning, the Cypriot president is also scheduled to meet the US Charge d’Affaires, Julie Davies.

She is expected to brief him on the latest efforts to secure progress in peace negotiations, offering Washington’s perspective as the conflict continues.