President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend Thursday’s informal meeting of EU leaders in Cyprus in person, his media advisor Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters.
The gathering, initially expected to center on the war in the Middle East and energy security, has shifted its agenda toward Ukraine support following progress on the proposed loan.
According to Politico, EU leaders will convene for an informal dinner in the resort city of Ayia Napa. Delegations are expected to begin arriving at 5:15 p.m. Brussels time, with a scheduled conversation with Zelensky at 6:30 p.m., followed by a working dinner at 7:15 p.m.
A brief press appearance is expected after the meeting.
European Council President António Costa confirmed that Zelensky would attend in person, reversing earlier plans for him to participate online.
“We will have the honor of personally welcoming President Zelensky at this especially important moment,” Costa told Politico, adding that Europe has already demonstrated its ability to support Ukraine and would continue to do so “for as long as necessary.”
The meeting comes as EU ambassadors have already agreed in principle on the €90 billion loan and endorsed a 20th sanctions package against Russia. Final approval is expected following a written EU Council procedure, which concludes on April 23.
The package had been delayed by Hungary, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking decisions over unanimity rules and linking his approval to the restart of the Druzhba oil pipeline that supplies crude to Hungary and Slovakia, which was damaged in a Russian strike earlier this year.
Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar, who won the latest elections and is expected to form a new government in May, has meanwhile backed the loan deal, including provisions allowing Budapest to opt out of funding participation.
Final EU sign-off is expected imminently once procedural steps are completed.