On Saturday, the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, and Poland visited Ukraine to engage in talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. They vowed to increase pressure on Russia until it agrees to a ceasefire in the ongoing three-year war. The four countries, collectively referred to as “the coalition of the willing” by Britain and France, shared in a joint statement that they are “ready to support peace talks as soon as possible.”
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Kremlin has shown no intention of halting its invasion of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has reportedly been advocating for a ceasefire, but Moscow warned that a truce would only be considered if the West ceased arms deliveries to Ukraine. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal made by Washington and Kyiv in March, and instead declared two brief pauses in fighting, which Ukraine accused Moscow of violating.
On his journey to Kyiv, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed that direct talks between Ukraine and Russia could commence once a 30-day ceasefire was implemented. Both Moscow and Kyiv have indicated an openness to negotiations, but President Zelensky emphasized that discussions could only proceed once a ceasefire is in effect. Currently, Russia occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine this spring.
The US embassy in Kyiv warned of a potential “significant air attack” that could happen within the upcoming days.
During their visit, Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled by train from Poland to Ukraine. This marked the first joint visit of the leaders from these four European nations to Ukraine. Upon arriving, they were seen embracing Zelensky and placing lanterns at a memorial for fallen soldiers in central Kyiv. Notably, it was Merz’s first visit to Ukraine since assuming the chancellorship just a week earlier, while Macron had last visited Kyiv in June 2022.
In their joint statement, the leaders expressed a clear message: “We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion.” They called upon Russia, alongside the US, to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to facilitate discussions for a just and lasting peace. They also warned of their intention to sustain and increase support for Ukraine until Russia consents to a meaningful ceasefire.
The leaders planned to hold a virtual meeting to update other European leaders on establishing a European force to bolster Ukraine’s security post-war. This proposed force is aimed at helping regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces following any peace agreement and enhancing overall confidence in future peace efforts. However, Russia has stated it will not tolerate any Western military presence in Ukraine post-conflict and has cautioned that such proposals could trigger conflict between Moscow and NATO.
The visit by the European leaders came a day after Putin addressed a parade in Moscow commemorating 80 years since victory in World War II, maintaining a defiant stance. In a later interview with ABC, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that for Russia to consider a ceasefire, arms deliveries to Ukraine must cease, asserting that otherwise, a truce would unfairly benefit Ukraine amid ongoing Russian advances on the front. Although Putin ordered a three-day unilateral ceasefire from Thursday through Saturday, Ukrainian army representatives reported that the level of fighting remained consistent, underscoring continued hostilities.
European leaders and Ukraine are advocating for intensified pressure on Russia to elicit a response. After a meeting with Tusk in France, Macron urged for a prompt drafting of a US-Europe plan for a potential 30-day ceasefire, warning that “massive economic sanctions” would be implemented if any side failed to comply. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added that a ceasefire ought to occur “without pre-conditions” to pave the way for negotiations.
