French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Murch, and British Prime Minister Kir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Saturday morning to join Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a coordinated show of support for Ukraine and a call for a “full and unconditional” 30-day ceasefire from Russia.
The four leaders arrived together by train from Poland and are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later in the day Saturday. Their joint visit follows celebrations in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, which took place Friday in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and about 20 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We continue to increase our support for Ukraine. We intensify our pressure on the Russian war machine until Russia accepts a lasting ceasefire,” the leaders said in a joint statement issued Friday.
The European leaders will also participate in an online conference with other members of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of primarily European nations committed to providing “security guarantees” to Ukraine, reported the Athens News Agency.
Their trip comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Russia to accept an “unconditional 30-day ceasefire” and warned of new sanctions if Moscow refuses, according to the Athens News Agency.
In a post on X just before his arrival in Kyiv, Macron accused Russia of “evading, setting conditions, buying time and continuing its war of invasion.” He reiterated in an interview with French networks TF1 and LCI that tougher sanctions would follow if Moscow fails to comply, and expressed readiness to support “immediate negotiations” between Ukraine and Russia.
“In the event of a 30-day ceasefire, we are launching direct talks between Ukraine and Russia. We are ready to help,” Macron said, as reported by the Athens News Agency.
German Chancellor Murch echoed the stance, warning in an interview with Bild that sanctions “will be very toughened” if Russia does not agree to halt its offensive. “Then the sanctions will be very toughened and massive aid to Ukraine will continue. On the political side, of course, but also on the economic and political side,” he stated.
In their joint statement, the four European leaders also affirmed, “We reiterate our support for President Trump’s calls for a peace agreement and ask Russia to stop raising obstacles. Alongside the United States, we call on Russia to accept a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to allow for talks aimed at a just and lasting peace,” as reported by the Athens News Agency.
Responding to the calls, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told ABC that Western arms deliveries must end before a ceasefire can be considered. “Ukraine will continue the full mobilization, bringing new troops to the front,” he said. “So why should we give this advantage to Ukraine?”
Peskov claimed that Russia remains open to a diplomatic solution. “President Putin is doing everything possible to solve the problem, to achieve a settlement through peaceful and diplomatic means. But as there are no peaceful and diplomatic means available, we have to continue the military operation,” he said. He expressed hope that Trump’s mediation might introduce “a little more flexibility, a little more political will and wisdom from the Kyiv regime.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Ukraine issued a warning Friday of a potential major Russian air strike in the coming days, according to the Athens News Agency. Ukrainian media also reported that Russia has closed its airspace over military facilities linked to the 2024 launch of the Orechnik missile system, suggesting preparations for a new ballistic strike.
