In a historic show of solidarity, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom arrived in Kyiv on Saturday, urging Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire as a step toward peace negotiations. Their visit coincided with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, underscoring the urgency of ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy upon arrival. Shortly after, they laid flowers at a memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv’s Independence Square.
A Unified Call for Peace
The European leaders, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, are pressing Moscow to accept an unconditional ceasefire to create space for diplomatic talks. In a joint statement, they declared:
“Alongside the US, 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”.
Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to Zelenskyy, emphasized the importance of securing a truce, stating on Telegram:
“We need to end this war with a just peace. We need to force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire”.
Next Steps: A Coalition for Ukraine’s Security
Later in the day, the leaders were expected to host a virtual meeting to update other nations on the formation of a “coalition of the willing”—a group that could provide military support to Ukraine after a peace deal and potentially deploy troops to oversee any future agreement with Russia.
While Ukraine has accepted the U.S.-proposed ceasefire, the Kremlin remains hesitant, seeking terms more favorable to its position. The European leaders’ visit signals a renewed diplomatic push to pressure Moscow into halting hostilities and engaging in meaningful peace talks.
This visit marks the first time the four European leaders have traveled together to Ukraine, reinforcing their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Whether Russia will heed their call remains uncertain, but the message from Kyiv is clear: the bloodshed must end.
