European leaders have gathered in Kyiv, Ukraine, alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, to push for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The meeting, attended by leaders from France, Germany, the UK, and Poland, was part of a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine. Other European leaders joined remotely.
The group issued a joint statement calling on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. They discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump, who initiated the idea. The leaders threatened significant sanctions if Russia refuses to comply.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a press conference alongside Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Our goal is to show that aggression will not succeed on our continent,” Starmer said, highlighting the importance of a ceasefire for reconnecting Ukraine’s economy and reuniting families separated by the war.
Zelensky thanked the leaders for their solidarity, emphasizing the need to create and guarantee lasting security. The US has been pushing for a swift ceasefire agreement since Trump took office for his second term, proposing a 30-day halt. However, Russia has set conditions, including halting Western military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky insisted that any ceasefire must be unconditional, stating that attaching conditions undermines diplomatic efforts. Macron noted that the US would oversee the ceasefire, with European support, and that any violations would trigger major sanctions from both Europe and the US.
Key Takeaways
- European leaders met in Kyiv to push for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
- The group threatened significant sanctions if Russia refuses to comply with an unconditional ceasefire.
- The US has been pushing for a ceasefire agreement since Trump took office for his second term.
- Russia has set conditions for a ceasefire, including halting Western military aid to Ukraine.
- Zelensky emphasized that any ceasefire must be unconditional to be effective.
Source: bbc