European Leaders Demand 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine or Warn Russia of “Massive” Sanctions

In a strong gesture of solidarity leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Poland had visited Kyiv on May 10 2025 calling on Russia to enforce an unconditional 30 day ceasefire commencing on the 12th of May. The ultimatum, which is accompanied by Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, is fully supported by U.S President Donald Trump. The coalition of leaders stressed the need for peace on land, air and sea and threatened “massive sanctions” against Moscow should it refuse to concede. Their collective standing suggests the Western retrenchment in bringing an end to the war’s march and more substantive talks.

Western Leaders Unite in Kyiv to Pressure Putin

Travelling by train early Saturday in, British PM Keir starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich merz and Polish PM Donald Tusk were warmly received by the top Ukrainian decision makers. But after paying their respects to Ukraine’s fallen soldiers at Independence square, the leaders encamped President Zelensky in the Mariinsky Palace for an upper class summit.

Later on the group made a phone call to the U.S. President Trump who affirmed America’s backing of the ceasefire. Zelensky promised that if Russia tried to impose its own conditions on the country, this would be perceived as a desire to continue the war and undermine diplomacy. Macron stressed that the ceasefire would be the door to wider peace talks.

Kremlin though is reluctant even under the pressure from Europe and America. Though Moscow appears to favor the notion of a truce, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cited “nuances” including stopping Western arms shipments into Ukraine as impediments to agreement. President Putin has also advanced a bid to address the “root causes” of the conflict, such as NATO’s expansion.

At the same time, Russia declared another one-off 72-hour unilateral ceasefire for Victory Day. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian soldiers reported persistent attacks as well as signs of the Russian military build-up in its wake shortly after the truce started. Even the U.S. embassy in Kyiv issued an alert about possible large scale airstrikes next few days.

Sparking only moments before the proposed ceasefire, the world is waiting to see what Putin will do next – and if new sanctions will be forthcoming.