The main objective of European nations is to ensure conditions of security and stability in Ukraine, directly linked with security and stability in Europe, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday.

Christodoulides, who participated in the Ukraine Summit in Paris, said that he expressed the readiness of Cyprus to be represented “in any format” created to ensure that such conditions prevail in Ukraine.

Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the multilateral leaders’ summit in Paris – convened at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron – Christodoulides said that “it is very important that this summit has been held with the participation of approximately 30 states. The Republic of Cyprus has been invited and is present at the highest level…a recognition of its role.”

Cyprus supports and welcomes all efforts towards ending the war, achieving a ceasefire, whether these efforts are undertaken by the United States or by other countries.

“This is the main issue. After a ceasefire is achieved, we will have to see how the conditions for security and stability in Ukraine are ensured, something that is directly interlinked with the security and stability in Europe,” he added.

Asked about a point raised by Macron – who said that the troops would serve as deterrence forces but if there is an attack by Russian forces then each country’s military staff will decide how to respond – Christodoulides replied “of course”, adding that the ideal scenario would be for this force to be deployed under the United Nations Security Council.

Certainly, he added, “it cannot be a Nato force because you understand that this cannot be accepted by Russia either. Therefore the main thing – and we will work in this direction – is for it to be under the United Nations with a specific resolution. If this is not possible, the EU will see how we will move to face this type of challenge”.

On Friday Christodoulides will attend a meeting at the Elysee Palace with Macron, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.