Volodymyr Zelensky renews EU push as Cyprus leads Council

Europe (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pressed for EU membership as Cyprus assumed the rotating EU Council presidency.

As Cyprus assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, Zelenskiy met with President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia.

“We are working to make as much progress as possible during this period on opening negotiating clusters and on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union,”

Zelenskiy said after the meeting, in a statement posted on X.

Days after Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine submitted an application to join the EU in an effort to establish political and economic ties with the West. Despite the difficulties posed by the conflict and Hungary’s resistance to a fast-track for Kyiv, it has been working to forward its quest.

“The president and I talked about strengthening sanctions against Russia, which must remain in place as long as Russia’s aggression and occupation continue,”

Zelenskiy said.

The two leaders also talked about supplying and manufacturing drones as well as bolstering Ukraine’s air defense.

“I look forward to updating you on the latest developments and what we can do as the presidency of the Council of the EU to support the efforts of the US [and] the international community for a peace agreement,”

he said.

The presidents of the European Commission and EU council, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, attended a meeting that Christodoulides hosted at the presidential palace later on Wednesday, just hours before Cyprus formally assumed the EU presidency.

The quartet meeting’s sole agenda item was the Russian attack against Ukraine.

Zelenskiy arrived first, followed by von der Leyen and Costa, all of whom Christodoulides greeted with a red carpet.

The president declared Wednesday to be a significant day and emphasized Cyprus’s readiness to work with other countries during its presidency to establish an independent EU that is accessible to all.

“As the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we will work actively to ensure that European support for Ukraine remains strong, united and unwavering,”

Christodoulides wrote in a statement on X after the four leaders meeting.

He stressed that the president’s top goal was to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. He also reaffirmed Cyprus’s proactive assistance as part of a “collective effort for peace, stability, and security in Europe.”

In order to ensure the bloc’s unity in the face of global problems, Christodoulides met separately with Costa to coordinate work on European goals for the upcoming six months.

“We look forward to close and substantive cooperation with the aim of jointly promoting key European priorities, such as our support for Ukraine, strengthening competitiveness and simplifying procedures, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, enlargement, as well as defense and security,”

he wrote on X.

Zelenskiy traveled directly to Cyprus after the “Coalition of the willing,” a group of more than 30 nations that have vowed to help Ukraine, met in Paris on Tuesday and decided on a five-point statement about Ukraine’s future.

Zelenskiy also met Georgios, the Archbishop of the Cyprus Greek Orthodox Church, who leads one of the world’s oldest autonomous Christian denominations. Georgios’ church has expressed support for the Church of Ukraine’s independence from Moscow, despite internal disagreement.

The meeting between Christodoulides and Zelenskiy takes place “at a time when European support for Ukraine remains crucial,” according to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Monday.

“With an emphasis on efforts for peace, the maintenance of international legitimacy and the protection of the fundamental principles which constitute the European project,”

he stated, the summit will take place.

Cyprus “knows first-hand the consequences of the invasion and ongoing occupation,” he claimed.

The meeting follows a phone call between the two last week during which Christodoulides stated that “supporting Ukraine will be a top priority of the Cyprus presidency” of the EU Council.

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy stated that his nation “counts on strong decisions that will strengthen Ukraine and all of Europe over the next six months” and congratulated Christodoulides on the beginning of Cyprus’ six-month tenure.

“It is important that Ukraine is among the key priorities during the Cypriot presidency. Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is one of the security guarantees for us, and for our part we are always doing everything necessary,”

he said.

What military support might be provided after a ceasefire?

Post-ceasefire military support outlined in the Paris Declaration includes UK and France establishing military capitals across Ukraine for munitions storehouse, product, and logistics. 

US- led ceasefire monitoring with confederated benefactions ensures verification, while European nations pledge troop deployments at Ukraine’s request, long- term armaments, training for an 800,000-strong levy force, and rapid-fire service/ logistical aid activation if Russia violates peace coordinated via a new common unit integrating coalition, US, and Ukrainian forces. 

Germany eyes forces in bordering NATO home, Canada commits labor force outfit amid rebuilds, and Türkiye offers maritime places, but full list pledges await ratification, with Zelenskiy averring on administrative blessings to guarantee deterrence without full NATO class.