Leaders from four major European countries came together in Kyiv on Saturday to show unity and issue a threat towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. They demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, warning of increased pressure if their demands are not met.
The leaders representing France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland announced the proposal for the ceasefire to begin on Monday. This initiative also had the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was briefed by the leaders earlier in the day. The aim of the ceasefire is to pave the way for peace talks to resolve the ongoing conflict that has spanned over three years in the region.
Trump recently expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to end the war in Ukraine, casting doubt on the prospects of a speedy peace agreement. He also suggested the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia in response to the situation.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy looks on on the day they meet at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2025. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
Progress on ending the war has seemed elusive in the months since Trump returned to the White House, and his previous claims of imminent breakthroughs have failed to come to fruition. Trump has previously pushed Ukraine to cede territory to Russia to end the war, threatening to walk away if a deal becomes too difficult.
Ukraine’s European allies view its fate as fundamental to the continent’s security, and pressure is now mounting to find ways to support Kyiv militarily, regardless of whether Trump pulls out.
