Leaders from France, Germany, Poland and the UK traveled to Kiev on Saturday amid a new international call for Russia to agree to a permanent ceasefire and engage in peace negotiations.
The visit aims to show Western solidarity with President Volodimia Zelensky after Russia’s Vladimir Putin hosted Chinese and Brazilian leaders at the Moscow Victory Day Parade, which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Germany’s new Prime Minister Friedrich Merz has joined French President Emmanuel Macron, British Minister and Poland Prime Minister, as well as Sir Kiel Starmer and Donald Tass of the Ukrainian capital.
All five leaders held a “productive telephone conversation” with President Donald Trump about “peace efforts,” according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha.
“Ukraine and all allies are ready for a completely unconditional ceasefire on land, air and sea for at least 30 days starting Monday,” Sibiha said. “If Russia agrees and effective surveillance is guaranteed, a lasting ceasefire and trust measures could pave the way for peace negotiations.”
In a joint statement issued prior to the visit, the leaders called for a 30-day ceasefire to stimulate US-led negotiations aimed at ending the war.
“Our leaders in France, Germany and Poland stand in Kiev in solidarity with Ukraine against the wild and illegal full-scale invasions of Russia,” they said.
“It makes clear that bloodshed must end, Russia must stop illegal aggression, and Ukraine must be able to thrive as a safe, secure and sovereign state within the internationally recognized borders of future generations.”
Zelenskyy said on Friday that Ukraine is ready for a “reliable permanent ceasefire for at least 30 days.”
“We all know the very fine lines we have walked to help us get involved in conflict resolution,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the conference.
“It seems your attempt to avoid our departure by concluding the mineral trade has paid off,” she told Zelenskyy. “Donald Trump’s new willingness to put pressure on Russia could be a turning point.”
“The ball is now in the Russian court and we must keep it there,” she added, referring to “a bite sanction.”
“I think it’s time to sanction the Node Stream II Consortium as well,” von derreyen said.
Trump’s proposed 30-day ceasefire was previously supported by Kiev, but Putin disagreed. Although the Russian leader has pledged to suspend attacks on holidays and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, his troops have continued to attack civilian regions in almost every part of the country in recent months.
Ballistic missiles and drones struck Kiev earlier this week, killing their mother and son. The attack came two weeks later in the Ukrainian capital, which killed 12 people and injured more than 80 people.
European leaders said they are ready to support consultations between Ukraine and Russia and are ready to explore ways to implement a ceasefire in order to “preparation for a full peace deal.”
Those familiar with the leader’s agenda on Saturday said the US, Europe and Ukraine are approaching finalizing plans for an unconditional ceasefire for the first 30 days, as they see them impose tough new sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin goes with them and refuses to continue the full-scale war.
On Friday, the EU said it was up to Russia to “show its willingness to achieve peace” in search of a “complete, unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days.” The statement was issued by the chief of Bloc’s diplomat Kahakaras and was supported by all 27 members, including Hungary and Slovakia, who had previously refused to register for such a statement.
EU foreign ministers from around 20 countries on Friday traveled to the city of LVIV in western Ukraine and declared their support for a special court to indict senior Russian officials for war crimes committed by Moscow forces during the war. The court will be established under a joint agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, the top human rights organization on the continent.
Separately on Friday, the UK announced new sanctions on the Russian “shadow fleet” used to shuttle oil around the world, avoiding restrictions imposed by the Western countries after Putin launched a full-scale Ukraine invasion in February 2022.
“All steps limiting the Kremlin’s ability to fund wars bring peace closer. The UK is once again demonstrating its leadership approach,” Zelensky said Friday.
“If Russia continues to drag the war, there is a need for stronger sanctions,” Zelensky said. “Especially if you ultimately break the ceasefire.”
During Saturday’s visit, leaders killed Ukrainian soldiers in the war and paid tribute to Kiev’s iconic Independence Square.
Other European counterparts will effectively participate in discussing the coalition’s plans to support Ukrainian air, land and maritime defense, and helping to rebuild the military after the peace agreement and ensure long-term security.
Additional reports by Lucy Fisher of London and Henry Foy of Warsaw
