European Leaders Demand Unconditional 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine

In a powerful display of unity, European leaders gathered in Kyiv on Saturday to urge Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, set to begin Monday. The summit, hosted by President Volodymyr Zelensky, included in-person appearances by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish PM Donald Tusk, with other allies including the US and NATO joining remotely.

The group, calling themselves a “coalition of the willing,” warned Moscow that failure to comply would result in “massive” coordinated sanctions. The proposal follows a call between the leaders and former US President Donald Trump, who originally floated the ceasefire idea. Starmer declared, “If Putin is serious about peace, he has a chance to show it.”

The Kremlin responded cautiously, saying it was “considering” the proposal but warned against pressure. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the West of making “contradictory” and “confrontational” statements. Meanwhile, Russian shelling reportedly continued in parts of Ukraine, despite the temporary truce declared by Moscow for Victory Day.

Zelensky emphasized that any conditions tied to the ceasefire would be seen as an attempt to prolong the war. European leaders said the ceasefire would be primarily monitored by the US, and any violations would swiftly trigger economic retaliation. The summit marks a symbolic show of resolve, countering Putin’s gathering of supporters in Moscow just one day earlier.