Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Cyprus to attend the informal EU leaders’ summit in person, abandoning a previously planned video call appearance, the Financial Times and Cypriot media reported.
Zelenskyy had been scheduled to address an informal leaders’ dinner in Ayia Napa by video link, but now plans to attend in person, according to the reports. The summit takes place on Thursday and Friday.
€90bn package and EU membership on the agenda
The surprise decision to attend in person comes as European leaders hold intensive discussions over a €90 billion support package for Ukraine and the country’s EU membership prospects, the reports said. Zelenskyy is seeking direct talks with European leaders on issues critical to Ukraine.
Leaders arrive from 18:00 on Thursday, with the meeting set to begin at 19:15. Before the working dinner, Zelenskyy will brief heads of state and government on the latest developments in the war with Russia.
The main working dinner will cover Ukraine, the Middle East and Iran, and the energy crisis. The broader summit agenda also includes energy security and the new EU multiannual budget.
The Financial Times noted that EU membership remains a difficult issue for Ukraine, with Germany and France having proposed symbolic concessions while Kyiv is pushing for rapid full membership.
