Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis will represent Cyprus at Thursday’s emergency European Council meeting on Ukraine instead of President Nicos Anastasiades.

The president will not be able to attend the meeting in Brussels as he is currently in Dubai and is due to speak at Thursday’s international business forum, Expo 2022, it was announced on Wednesday night.

Thursday’s convening of the council is set to focus on how the bloc will handle Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

The announcement by deputy government spokesperson Niovi Parassinou stated that Anastasiades has informed European Council president Charles Michel of the move.

She further added that Anastasiades has been in contact with Mitsotakis on the issue.