Cyprus, which will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union starting January 1, 2026, promises to bring a “new approach” to negotiations on Ukraine’s accession, and also address other important issues, including defense and migration.
This was stated by Cyprus’s Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos, and immediately after this the country’s leadership stressed that the presidency would be disciplined, dedicated, and with “a different mindset”.
“We believe that small states can offer a lot in such situations”
– Konstantinos Kombos
He added that the EU’s attention will continue to be focused on Ukraine, which has been defending itself from Russian aggressors for four years. According to him, Cyprus understands well what military conflicts and occupation are.
“The agenda rightly concerns Ukraine, and it will remain so. But we want to take into account issues concerning the broader Middle East region, since we also regard Cyprus as part of this region”
– Konstantinos Kombos
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides stated that the country will continue to support Ukraine during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will begin on January 1, 2026. According to the president, the presidency also entails considering the needs of the region and continuing coordination with Ukraine within the European agenda.
The Expected Impact of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Analysts believe that the new leadership format from Cyprus could emphasize dialogue with Ukraine with a focus on defense, migration, and security, while also taking into account the interests of the Middle East region within a broader European agenda.