European Leaders Urge Unconditional 30-Day Truce with Russia Starting Monday

The leaders of France, Britain, Germany, and Poland came together on Saturday to urge Russia to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, according to Kyiv.

This initiative followed a meeting in the Ukrainian capital with President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the four leaders, part of an alliance dubbed «the coalition of the willing» by Britain and France, conveyed their proposal.

Despite this call, Russia has exhibited no intention of stopping its three-year invasion of Ukraine, having previously dismissed a similar ceasefire suggestion made by the United States and Kyiv in March.

Moscow has warned that a ceasefire would only be possible if Western nations halted their arms supplies to Ukraine.

Currently, Russia controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and has escalated its attacks on Ukraine this spring.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued a warning on Friday about the potential for a «significant air attack» against Ukraine in the coming days.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk engaged in discussions with Zelensky in the capital.

Subsequently, the five leaders were reported to have had a phone conversation with Trump, as stated by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on X.

«Ukraine and all allies are prepared for an unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and sea for a minimum of 30 days starting Monday,» he remarked.

On his way to Kyiv, Macron expressed that once a 30-day ceasefire is established, there could be «direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.»

Both Moscow and Kyiv have indicated a willingness to negotiate, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists that such talks can only proceed after a ceasefire is established.

This marks the first collective visit of the leaders from the four European countries to Ukraine.

They were also observed embracing Zelensky and lighting lanterns at a memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers in central Kyiv.

For Merz, who assumed office just this week, it was his inaugural visit to Ukraine as chancellor.

Macron had not visited Kyiv since June 2022, when he traveled alongside the then Italian and German leaders.

In a joint statement, the leaders emphasized that they would intensify pressure on Russia should it refuse to agree to a ceasefire.

«We are united in the belief that the bloodshed must come to an end. Russia must cease its unlawful invasion,» they stated.

«Together with the U.S. we urge Russia to commit to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to facilitate discussions on fair and lasting peace.»

They warned, «We will maintain and enhance our support for Ukraine. Until Russia consents to a sustainable ceasefire, we will continue to apply pressure on Russia’s military operations.»

The leaders also expressed intentions to explore the formation of a European force to provide Ukraine with security following the conflict.

Russia has declared that it will not accept any Western military presence in Ukraine after the fighting concludes and cautioned that this could ignite a war between Moscow and NATO.

This demonstration of European solidarity occurred a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a defiant speech at a Moscow parade celebrating 80 years since World War II victory.

In an interview with ABC News on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that arms transfers from Ukraine’s partners must cease before Russia would entertain a ceasefire.

Such a truce, he argued, would otherwise provide an «advantage for Ukraine» while «Russian troops are advancing confidently» on the frontline, adding that Ukraine was «not prepared for immediate negotiations.»

Putin had called for a unilateral three-day ceasefire from Thursday to Saturday. However, a Ukrainian military brigade active in the east reported to AFP that the level of fighting had remained «essentially unchanged.»

Europe and Ukraine maintain that increased pressure on Russia is essential for a response.

Following his meeting with Tusk in France on Friday, Macron advocated for the rapid development of a U.S.-European plan for the 30-day ceasefire, which would be supported by «significant economic sanctions» if either party were to «betray» the terms.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remarked on X that a ceasefire «without preconditions» is necessary, and only then can negotiations commence.