European Leaders visit Kyiv to urge Russia to agree to 30-day ceasefire

The leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today to push Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. This is the first time all four leaders – French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have made a joint visit to Ukraine. They said the goal is to stop the fighting and start peace talks, according to France 24. “We are clear the bloodshed must end,” the leaders said in a joint statement. “Russia must stop its illegal invasio

The leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today to push Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. This is the first time all four leaders – French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have made a joint visit to Ukraine. They said the goal is to stop the fighting and start peace talks, according to France 24. “We are clear the bloodshed must end,” the leaders said in a joint statement. “Russia must stop its illegal invasion, and Ukraine must be able to live as a safe and independent country.” The leaders also supported a ceasefire plan suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan calls for a “full and unconditional” 30-day stop to the fighting, giving both sides time to start peace talks. “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 said. President Macron added that Europe and the U.S. are working on a plan that includes "massive economic sanctions” if either side breaks the ceasefire. He also said that talks about territory could happen after the fighting stops. Russia says no, so far But Russia has not agreed. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine’s allies must stop sending weapons before Russia will agree to a ceasefire. "A truce would give Ukraine an advantage,” he told ABC News. “Russian troops are advancing... in quite a confident way.” He also said that Ukraine is "not ready for immediate negotiations.” Support for Ukraine’s future The European leaders said they are not giving up. After the meeting with Zelensky, they will hold an online meeting with other European countries. They will talk about building a European security force that could protect Ukraine after the war. "This force would help rebuild Ukraine’s army and give hope for lasting peace,” the leaders said. For Friedrich Merz, Germany’s new chancellor, this was his first visit to Ukraine since taking office earlier this week. "We stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion,” the leaders said. “We also back President Trump’s call for peace and urge Russia to stop blocking peace efforts.” The visit comes just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin held a large military parade in Moscow with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Macron said Putin’s speech at the event showed he is "still choosing war.”