Overview
- Cyprus formally took over the EU Council presidency at a Nicosia ceremony attended by Volodymyr Zelensky, Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
- Zelensky urged opening EU negotiating clusters during Cyprus’s term and said Ukraine expects no additional or excessive demands as financial support talks advance.
- President Nikos Christodoulides pledged to make Ukraine a central priority of the presidency and to sustain political, financial and defense backing.
- Von der Leyen said Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security and signaled continued work to advance Ukraine and Moldova toward accession.
- Kyiv used the opening for follow‑up on Paris discussions about post‑ceasefire security guarantees and for outreach on sanctions, defense production and investment, including talks with Cyprus and Bahrain.