European leaders have reached out to US President Donald Trump to deliberate on a proposed 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, effective from Monday, during a visit to Kyiv. This communication follows a gathering of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” which convened to explore ways to advance peace talks.
Coalition leaders show solidarity in Kyiv
In a show of solidarity, leaders including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and newly appointed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were physically present in the Ukrainian capital. Their attendance serves as a stark contrast to the more than 20 leaders who aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow just days prior.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the coalition’s support for a “full and unconditional” ceasefire, initially proposed by Trump. She further indicated that the EU is prepared to “impose further biting sanctions” should this temporary truce be violated.
“Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace,” the leaders stated in a joint declaration prior to their visit.
Current situation amidst ongoing conflict
As this diplomatic effort unfolds, a 30-hour ceasefire unilaterally declared by Putin to commemorate Russia’s Victory Day is set to conclude on Saturday. Although fighting has waned during this period, both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations.
The “coalition of the willing” was established to bolster any future peace agreement with security assurances, which may include the deployment of troops to Ukraine. Following a recent phone conversation with President Zelensky, Trump reaffirmed the call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, warning that failure to adhere to the ceasefire would result in further US sanctions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to the impending sanctions by asserting that Russia is already well-acquainted with sanctions and knows how to mitigate their effects. He commented, “There is no point in trying to scare us with these sanctions.”
In a more dismissive tone, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, advised European leaders to “shove these peace plans.” Meanwhile, several leaders, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, participated in the meeting remotely.
Despite claims of a temporary ceasefire, reports of Russian assaults on Ukrainian territory persist. In the northern Sumy region, a tragic incident resulted in the death of an 85-year-old woman, along with injuries to three others, while numerous homes and buildings were reported damaged or destroyed. In Kostyantynivka, located in the eastern Donetsk region, one individual sustained injuries and two apartment blocks were set ablaze due to Russian attacks, as reported by Ukrainian state emergency services. Additionally, in the southern city of Kherson, a local resident sought medical assistance following an attack by a Russian drone laden with explosives.