President of Cyprus in Kyiv: We are ready to help Ukraine become EU member

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, during his visit to Kyiv on 4 December, pledged support for Ukraine on its path to the EU within the upcoming Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 January and will last six months.

Christodoulides said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Cyprus will continue to stand by Ukraine during its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU.

"In this period, when geopolitical pressure is being exerted, and it is increasing, Europe certainly needs unity, integrity and considerable determination. Cyprus is ready and is doing everything possible on its part to help Ukraine become a member of the European Union," Christodoulides said.

He added that Cyprus supports EU enlargement, believing it will strengthen the collective security and democratic character of the entire Union.

Zelenskyy expects that Cyprus' presidency of the Council of the EU in the coming half-year will become "historic" in terms of opening the clusters for Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Earlier, Zelenskyy expressed hope that Ukraine could open and close all six negotiating clusters for EU membership over the next year.

Read more: Why EU accession talks can last for decades and how Ukraine can avoid that