The heads of government from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland traveled to Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, demonstrating unity just one day after Russia marked Victory Day with a military parade in Moscow.
The talks are expected to focus on a joint U.S.-European proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. According to a French official, if Moscow rejects the plan, new coordinated sanctions could follow, though the proposal is still under negotiation.
This marks the first joint visit to Ukraine by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
In a collective statement, the four leaders urged Russia to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire lasting 30 days, framing it as a necessary step to enable negotiations for a sustainable and fair peace.
The visit comes during a period of heightened diplomatic uncertainty in the war, now in its fourth year. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed many of his predecessor’s policies, including initially reducing support to Ukraine. However, relations have since been repaired, and a significant minerals agreement was recently signed between the U.S. and Ukraine.
Trump has publicly expressed growing impatience with Russia’s lack of progress on a ceasefire and has warned of increased sanctions. On Thursday, he proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which President Zelenskiy said Ukraine would be ready to implement immediately.
A spokesperson for the Kremlin indicated on Friday that Russia is open to the idea of a 30-day ceasefire, though it would depend on certain unspecified conditions.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a military celebration in Red Square with several international allies, Western officials voiced support for establishing a special tribunal to investigate alleged war crimes by Russian leadership, echoing Zelenskiy’s condemnation of the parade.
On the eve of the summit, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv warned of a possible major airstrike and urged citizens to remain alert and prepared to seek shelter.
The four visiting leaders are scheduled to meet with Zelenskiy on Saturday and to participate in a memorial ceremony honoring fallen Ukrainian soldiers. A virtual meeting is also expected with other allied nations to discuss plans for a comprehensive post-war support initiative for Ukraine’s military, including air, land, sea, and reconstruction components.
This visit coincides with the final day of a brief ceasefire declared by Moscow, which Kyiv dismissed as a publicity stunt. Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce.
Zelenskiy told Trump in a recent phone call that a month-long truce would serve as a meaningful sign of progress toward ending the war. European and American officials say they are hopeful that the sides are nearing a consensus.
“There could be a breakthrough in the hours or days ahead, potentially involving a comprehensive or phased ceasefire,” said a French source close to the negotiations.
German Chancellor Merz, newly installed in office, emphasized that it’s now up to Russia to decide. “The next steps depend entirely on Moscow’s choices,” he said Friday. “We could see the start of a longer ceasefire as early as next week.”
