Zelenskyy to attend EU Cyprus summit in person despite earlier remote plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend in person an informal summit of European Union leaders in Cyprus, reversing earlier plans for him to join the meeting remotely, according to sources cited by Ukrainian media.

The summit, scheduled for April 23–24, comes at a critical moment as the EU is preparing to finalise a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine. The meeting will begin on the evening of April 23, with European leaders arriving from 5:00 p.m.

Sources indicate that Zelenskyy will travel to Cyprus from another European country, though details of his route have not been disclosed. His decision to attend physically marks a notable shift from the previously announced format of remote participation.

The informal gathering is taking place while Cyprus holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Discussions are expected to focus on the broader geopolitical situation, including ongoing security challenges linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as the EU’s long-term budget framework for 2028–2034.

Leaders may also address specific elements related to Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union, which outlines the bloc’s mutual defence obligations in the event of armed aggression against a member state. While no formal decisions are expected on this point, its inclusion in discussions reflects growing attention to collective security mechanisms.

The summit coincides with developments in energy flows in Central Europe. On April 22, Ukraine resumed pumping Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline toward Hungary and Slovakia. Authorities in Bratislava confirmed that oil deliveries began overnight.

By Tamilla Hasanova