In a unified diplomatic effort, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The high-level visit comes amid renewed international pressure on Russia to accept a U.S.-European proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk jointly called on Russia to agree to an “unconditional 30-day ceasefire” to pave the way for peace talks. This marks the first joint visit of all four leaders to Ukraine since the war began.
Their visit follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, where he showcased alliances with leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Kremlin, while signaling tentative support for a ceasefire, has insisted on addressing unspecified “nuances.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has shifted tone, expressing impatience with Putin and pushing for swift peace. After previously clashing with Zelenskiy and briefly suspending aid, Trump has reestablished ties with Kyiv and supports the 30-day truce. Zelenskiy has already stated Ukraine is ready to implement the ceasefire immediately.
Ahead of the summit, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv warned of a possible significant air attack, urging vigilance. During their visit, the European leaders will also attend a memorial honoring Ukrainian soldiers and hold a virtual session to discuss plans for rebuilding Ukraine’s military capabilities post-conflict.
As diplomatic momentum builds, hopes rise for a ceasefire deal—though officials caution that negotiations are still ongoing and final terms remain under discussion. The decision, European leaders emphasized, now rests with Moscow.