Christodoulides reaffirms Cyprus support for Ukraine at coalition videoconference

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed Cyprus’ support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders during a videoconference of the Coalition of the Willing.

The meeting, involving more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine, marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union.

Cyprus position

Presidential press office director Victor Papadopoulos said Christodoulides stressed that Cyprus, as a country which has experienced an illegal invasion and remains under military occupation, supports Ukraine.

He said peace could only be achieved on the basis of the United Nations Charter and without external imposition.

Cyprus also supports coordinated European efforts to prepare Ukraine adequately for the coming winter, he added.

Coalition meeting

The videoconference was jointly chaired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Burnham’s office said participants were united in continuing to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity.

The leaders condemned what they described as Russia’s systematic and escalating strikes against Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure and civilians, which they said had caused the highest number of civilian casualties since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

They also referred to damage to a hospital in Kyiv the previous week.

Military and cultural protection

Participants also condemned attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage sites, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century cave monastery in Kyiv.

They reiterated Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression in compliance with international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter, and said Russian threats would not deter their support.

The leaders expressed their determination to increase military support for Ukraine, strengthen air defence as an urgent priority, deepen cooperation with Ukraine’s defence industry, and share relevant technologies through the anti-ballistic missile coalition.

The coalition was established last month to develop an integrated European anti-ballistic missile defence capacity. Its members are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.