Leaders from Britain, France, Germany and Poland arrived in Kiev together on Saturday, where they visited Ukraine for the first time and promised to increase pressure on Russia until a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire was agreed.
Mr Sibiha said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha released a photo of President Volodymyr Zelensky, with four other European leaders huddled around the phone as they spoke with President Trump.
“Ukraine and all allies are ready to start a completely unconditional ceasefire on land, air and sea on Monday,” Mr Sybiha wrote on social media. “If Russia agrees and ensures effective surveillance, durable ceasefires and confidence-building measures can pave the way for peace negotiations.”
The visit aims to highlight Europe's enduring commitment to Ukraine's defense and sovereignty after more than three years of war with Russia. Russia celebrates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, during which President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign guests to Moscow for a military parade aimed at predicting Russia's power and bid for a global order at Mr. Putin.
Both events crystallize the ever-changing outline of the Ukrainian war and the wider geopolitical shift since Mr. Trump took office. In just a few months, Mr. Trump reversed the core tenet of U.S. foreign policy and presided over the weakening of transatlantic bonds, which helped put Europe on a path to peace in the wake of the disaster of World War II.
Currently, Ukraine is in trouble in a courageous Russia inspired by China, North Korea and Iran. Europe scrambles to fill the gap left by the United States.
It has been more than 120 days since the United States announced new military aid to Ukraine. It is unclear whether the Trump administration plans to use the remaining $3.85 billion for additional withdrawals from the Defense Department’s Kiev stock.
Much of the pressure brought by Washington ends the fight against Kiev, although Trump has shown frustration with Moscow recently.
European leaders hope frustration may lead to steps to put pressure on Moscow directly, perhaps by increasing sanctions on oil and gas revenues the Kremlin uses to work for the war.
“In the United States, we call on Russia to agree to a full 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on just and lasting peace,” European leaders said in a joint statement before the visit. “We will continue to increase support for Ukraine. We will increase pressure on the Russian war machine before Russia agrees to a lasting ceasefire.”
French President Emmanuel Macron; new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; British Prime Minister Keir Starmer; Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk began his visit to Kiev and paid solemn tribute to the thousands of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the battle, laying flowers in the temporary memorial hall at the heart of the capital.
European leaders said they would discuss ways to strengthen Ukrainian military to ensure future peace agreements proved to last. Together with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, they plan to conduct virtual briefings with other world leaders to form a group they call the “Willing Alliance.”
But the next few weeks will test whether Europe's determination and resources can match the scale of the challenge, as the outcome of the war becomes increasingly a problem for Europe to resolve.
Despite months of crazy diplomatic activities and Mr. Trump’s desire to end the battle, the gap in the war has remained as always.
Kyiv has agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States. Meanwhile, Ukraine is competing to establish domestic arms production, with its European allies increasing military aid. Even if Russia agrees to a ceasefire, Ukraine and its allies believe that the only way to ensure lasting peace is through military strength.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov said on Saturday that Russia remains opposed to any ceasefire unless Western countries stop providing military aid to Ukraine.
Mr Putin said he wanted to control about 20% of Ukraine conquered by his troops, but he also wanted Kyiv to surrender to the leniency of Ukraine in the east and south that his army failed to capture.
Visiting Keefe was Mr. Meers’ first. Before he left his trip, he warned that if Russia disagreed with a truce, “there will be massive sanctions and the enormous aid to Ukraine will continue – of course, economically and militarily.”
“The ball is now in Putin's court,” he said. “Putin must respond to this proposal.”
