BlogHear.com | May 2025
Kyiv, Ukraine — European leaders have jointly called on Russia to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, starting Monday, in a unified move to reduce hostilities and pave the way toward lasting peace.
The announcement came after a high-level meeting of the self-described “coalition of the willing” held in Kyiv, hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Attending in person were French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, with other global leaders joining remotely.
The ceasefire appeal follows a phone discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump, who initially proposed the plan. The coalition warned Moscow that failure to comply would lead to “massive” new sanctions.
“Aggression will never prevail on our continent,” said Prime Minister Starmer at the Kyiv press conference. He noted that the ceasefire, if achieved, could mark a turning point: “This will be a huge moment in reconnecting Ukraine’s economy, boosting investor confidence, and reuniting families separated by war.”
Zelensky thanked the allied leaders and emphasized the focus on “building and guaranteeing real and lasting security.”
The summit served as a counterpoint to the gathering of over 20 heads of state who attended a pro-Kremlin event hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow just days earlier.
Currently, a 30-hour ceasefire ordered by Putin to commemorate Russia’s Victory Day is set to expire Saturday. While violence has decreased, both Ukrainian and Russian sides reported violations.
The coalition also discussed implementing security guarantees that could include the stationing of allied troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is reached.
President Trump doubled down on his call via social media: “If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions.”
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the threats: “There is no point in trying to scare us with these sanctions.” Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took a more aggressive stance, telling European leaders to “shove these peace plans.”
Among those attending remotely were Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Despite the ceasefire window, Russian attacks continue across Ukraine:
- In Sumy, an 85-year-old woman was killed and several injured amid shelling that destroyed 19 homes.
- In Donetsk, a Russian attack injured one and caused fires in two apartment buildings.
- In Kherson, a 58-year-old man was injured by a Russian drone carrying explosives.
As the situation evolves, international leaders are pushing for a pause in violence to allow room for diplomacy and recovery.
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