Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz meet with Ukrainian officials to call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and intensified diplomatic efforts.
By Joe D. | May 10, 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk came in Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, offering strong symbolic support for Ukraine. Their goal: to urge a 30-day ceasefire in the continuing war between Ukraine and Russia and to ramp up world diplomatic efforts meant to guarantee peace in the area.
The visit comes one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a Victory Day parade in Moscow commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph in World War II. The European leaders’ arrival in Kyiv is a purposeful response underlining their solidarity and dedication to Ukraine’s sovereignty in front of Russia’s aggression.
Leaders Demand 30-Day Ceasefire
The European leaders will urge Russia to accept a complete and unqualified 30-day ceasefire during their visit. Originally suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump, the plan has received worldwide backing as a move toward talks for a long-term peace deal. While the Ukrainian government has said it would carry out the ceasefire, Russia has not yet committed.
Prime Minister Starmer stated in a joint statement with the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland, “We are here today to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and to demand that Russia ends its brutal invasion.” As the first step toward a durable peace, we urge Russia to accept this ceasefire. The carnage has to stop.
The ceasefire proposal is considered as a key step in establishing the space for diplomatic conversations, allowing both sides to negotiate a peace accord without the immediate prospect of continuous violence. But prior efforts to stop the conflict have often failed, so the efficacy of such a truce is still in doubt.
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Diplomatic Pressure Increases on Russia
The attendance of the four European leaders is also a direct reaction to Russia’s recent activities, including the unilateral announcement of a three-day ceasefire for Victory Day—a truce Ukraine largely rejected as a “theatrical show.” Despite the ceasefire, both sides kept fighting; Ukrainian authorities charged Russia with firing missiles during the alleged truce.
The European leaders also spoke with President Zelensky and his administration, participating in a virtual conference of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of countries supporting Ukraine’s security and sovereignty. The leaders promised to raise their support for Ukraine’s defense and to press Russia’s military capacity while also advocating for a permanent peace deal.
President Macron stated at a press conference in Kyiv, “We are ready to assist peace talks at any moment.” Russia, however, has to quit blocking the road to peace. We will keep pressuring their war machine until they consent to a ceasefire.
The U.S. Stance: Trump’s Contribution to Peace Negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump’s support has given the push for a ceasefire in Ukraine more driving force. In a message published on Truth Social, Trump restated his backing for the 30-day ceasefire plan, stressing the need of all sides stopping hostilities and striving for a durable peace. He cautioned that should the truce be disrespected, more penalties on Russia would be imposed by the United States and its allies.
Trump said, “I have a message for both sides: Get this war ended,” adding, “We have to put an end to this foolish war.”
Although Trump’s position on Ukraine has caused some debate among his political base, his demands for a ceasefire have started to resonate, especially with European leaders keen to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. European leaders’ decision to visit Kyiv instead of Moscow indicates a united front in their backing of Ukraine.
Keir Starmer joins European leaders in Kyiv to push for a ceasefire and stronger security guarantees for Ukraine against Russia. https://t.co/wW1PFECteA
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) May 10, 2025
Ukrainian civilians still suffer.
The situation on the ground in Ukraine stays terrible even if diplomatic initiatives are ongoing. The continuing war has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced millions more. In Kyiv, the European leaders went to Maidan Square and honored dead Ukrainian troops there. The dismal mood highlighted the continuing human toll of the war, which has now entered its third year.
Chancellor Merz stated, “We will keep helping Ukraine in any manner we can.” Peace is the final aim, though. That is what we have to strive for; it begins with this ceasefire.
The Road to Peace: What Comes Next?
Russia’s desire to participate in discussions will determine whether this 30-day ceasefire plan succeeds. Moscow has so far showed no desire to halt its military activities; the Kremlin has rejected the ceasefire appeals as politically driven. But rising international pressure and a rising number of nations, notably China and India, demanding de-escalation might change Russia’s position.
Whether a significant truce can be reached or the war will keep spiraling out of control will be decided in the next days and weeks. It is yet unknown whether the fighting sides can set aside their deep-seated beliefs and agree to a solution that will provide enduring peace to the area while U.S. and European officials cooperate to mediate peace.
