Ukraine and EU defence will be dominating Thursday’s European Council in Brussels, with the online participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Nikos Christodoulides will be flying to Brussels on Wednesday evening and will be participating in the EPP summit on Thursday morning ahead of the Council meeting.

The 27 EU leaders will be discussing Ukraine at their first session, during which Zelensky will be joining, followed by a working lunch on EU defence and the need for greater strategic autonomy.