May 10, 2025 in a show of unity and urgency, the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland arrived in Kyiv to back a bold new initiative: a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, proposed to Russia as the first step toward potential peace talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at what Ukrainian officials called a meeting of the “coalition of the resolute.” Their visit marked a major diplomatic effort, aimed at breaking the deadlock of over three years of full-scale war.
Trump Backs Ceasefire Plan in Joint Call
After the Kyiv summit, the four European leaders joined President Zelenskyy on a call with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, the allies agreed to put forward a proposal for a comprehensive ceasefire—on land, at sea, and in the air—for a minimum of 30 days, starting Monday, May 12.
“If Russia agrees and proper monitoring mechanisms are in place, this could lay the foundation for meaningful negotiations,” Sybiha.
According to NBC News, a 22-point document outlining ceasefire terms and broader diplomatic expectations has been drafted by negotiators from Ukraine, the U.S., and EU states. The document will reportedly be handed to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“If Putin is looking for a way out—this is it,” one Western official told NBC.
Leaders Issue United Message to Russia
In a joint declaration posted on the UK government’s website, the four European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and called on Russia to cease obstructing peace efforts.
“We, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, stand here in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s barbaric and unlawful aggression,” the statement reads. “We support President Trump’s calls for peace and urge Russia to agree to a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire.”
The statement also confirmed their readiness to support the technical implementation of the ceasefire and monitoring mechanisms. The leaders further proposed a future multinational coalition—comprising air, land, sea, and reconstruction forces—to support Ukraine’s armed forces and infrastructure in the event of a peace agreement.
Moscow Responds with Defiance and Derision
As expected, the Kremlin responded to the ceasefire push with skepticism. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the threat of sanctions and claimed Russia had already adapted to Western economic pressure.
“Sanctions no longer scare us. We’ve learned how to minimize their impact,” Peskov said.
The response from former President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, was significantly more inflammatory. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Medvedev insulted the visiting leaders, writing:
“Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk were supposed to discuss peace in Kiev. Instead, they are blurting out threats against Russia. Either a truce for the respite of Banderite hordes or new sanctions. You think that’s smart, eh? Shove these peace plans up your pangender arses!”
Despite these reactions, Kyiv and its allies have stayed focused on a diplomatic solution. Should Russia reject the ceasefire terms, Western nations have indicated they are prepared to escalate sanctions and military pressure further.
What’s Next?
With international attention intensifying, Ukraine and its allies are preparing for what may be a pivotal moment in the war. If accepted, the proposed truce could be the first sustained halt to hostilities in over a year. If rejected, it will likely signal a new phase of international escalation.
Western officials have not ruled out a broader reconstruction and security plan for Ukraine, to be presented during a follow-up virtual summit with President Zelenskyy. The proposal includes plans for military recovery, infrastructure rebuilding, and long-term security guarantees.
As the Monday deadline approaches, the global spotlight turns to the Kremlin—and whether it will accept the deal or dig in deeper.
