A coalition of European leaders has thrown its support behind a proposed 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, during a high-profile visit to the Ukrainian capital this week. The move follows renewed efforts by former U.S. President Donald Trump to revive peace negotiations in the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz met in person with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from Canada, Italy, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte joined the discussions remotely.
The gathering of what has been described as the “coalition of the willing” comes just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted over 20 foreign leaders in Moscow, underscoring the ongoing geopolitical divide over the war.
In a joint statement, the European leaders expressed their united stance against Russia’s “barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion” and called for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for peace talks. “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,” the statement read.
The proposed ceasefire, first floated by Trump and reiterated in a recent call with Zelensky, has received broad endorsement from the European bloc. Von der Leyen said the EU was prepared to impose “further biting sanctions” if Russia violates the truce.
The ceasefire proposal follows a 30-hour unilateral ceasefire declared by Russia to mark its Victory Day celebrations, which saw reduced fighting but also mutual accusations of violations from both sides.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the threat of new sanctions, claiming Russia had already adapted to previous measures. Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy head of the Security Council, openly rejected the proposal, saying European leaders could “shove these peace plans.”
Despite the diplomatic push, Russian attacks across Ukraine continued. In the Sumy region, an 85-year-old woman was killed and multiple homes destroyed. In the Donetsk region, a missile strike set apartment blocks ablaze, injuring at least one. Meanwhile, in Kherson, a local resident was injured by a drone carrying explosives.
As international efforts intensify, the prospects for a lasting ceasefire remain uncertain. However, the coalition’s visit to Kyiv signalled a determined push for diplomacy and a strong message of solidarity with Ukraine.
