IRIA News

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Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland convened on May 10, 2025, in Kyiv to press for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. The joint visit underscores a unified European front aiming to halt over three years of war and initiate peace negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron, newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived together by train from neighboring Poland. They were later joined by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The leaders held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire.

At a joint news conference, the European leaders called on Russia to agree to a full, unconditional ceasefire starting Monday. They warned that failure to comply would result in intensified sanctions, particularly targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors.

“Alongside the U.S., we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace,” the leaders stated. “We are ready to support peace talks as soon as possible, to discuss technical implementation of the ceasefire, and prepare for a full peace deal.”

The proposed ceasefire would encompass a halt to fighting on land, sea, and in the air. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed readiness for the truce, stating that Ukraine and its allies are prepared for a “full, unconditional ceasefire” with Russia for at least 30 days starting on Monday.

We had a bilateral meeting with French President @EmmanuelMacron — on the outcomes of the Coalition of the Willing meeting, the implementation of the decision to launch a full, unconditional ceasefire starting May 12 for at least 30 days, support for Ukraine's defense, and EU… pic.twitter.com/7XCAmNFfVr

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 10, 2025

The initiative has garnered support from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire as a step to end the conflict. After the meeting in Kyiv, the five leaders held a phone call with Trump to discuss their peace efforts.

Despite the diplomatic push, the Kremlin has dismissed the demands. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the European leaders’ statements as “confrontational” and emphasized that arms deliveries from Ukraine’s allies must stop for Russia to agree to a ceasefire. He added that a truce would otherwise be an “advantage for Ukraine” at a time when “Russian troops are advancing, in quite a confident way” on the front.

Russia has occupied about a fifth of Ukrainian territory and has yet to respond to the pressure for an enduring ceasefire. President Putin has expressed that any ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and address the root causes of the conflict. He stated, “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities,” but emphasized the need for discussions to ensure the cessation leads to long-term peace.

The European leaders’ visit to Kyiv is both symbolic and practical. It marks the first time the leaders of the four European nations have made a joint visit to Ukraine. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, highlighted the importance of the visit, stating, “There is a lot of work to do, a lot of topics to discuss. We must end this war with a just peace. We must force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.”

The leaders also participated in a World War II commemoration in Kyiv, underlining the historic gravity of the current conflict. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have confirmed support for the truce and readiness to impose further sanctions if Russia fails to comply.

While the proposal for a ceasefire is a significant step towards peace, skepticism remains over Putin’s willingness to negotiate. Ukraine’s allies stress the importance of continued military and economic support, regardless of U.S. involvement.