Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the heads of government from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland reaffirmed their joint support for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine following high-level talks in Kyiv today.

The summit was part of a broader effort involving a virtual gathering of approximately 30 world leaders in what has been described as a „coalition of the willing.” Following the talks, participants held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly reiterated American backing for the ceasefire plan. The initiative, originally put forward by Washington in March, had previously been dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During a press briefing, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the collective stance against Moscow’s refusal to engage. 

„Together with the United States, we are calling Putin out,” PM Starmer declared.

Standing alongside President Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Starmer warned that Europe is prepared to implement new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors should the Kremlin refuse to cooperate with the truce.

Speaking in Kyiv, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk admitted that “for the first time in a long while, we felt the entire free world was united.”

“This isn’t about slogans – it’s about the decisions we made. From New Zealand to Canada, from Iceland to Ukraine, the United States, a united Europe, Norway – yes, we all spoke with one voice. And it was not a voice of naivety. We are fully aware that the real test lies ahead – for us, for Russia, and for Putin. We will await Russia’s response,” the head of the Polish government added.

Tusk warned that if Moscow rejects the offer, “there will no longer be any doubt – no one will have the right to question who stands for peace and who chooses war.” 

Polish Prime Minister described Ukraine’s readiness to engage in peace talks without preconditions as a “powerful gesture” and stressed that in the event of rejection, “we are prepared to strengthen sanctions.”

The Kremlin swiftly responded, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accusing European powers of issuing „contradictory” and „inherently hostile” statements.

However, in a notable shift, Russian state news agency Tass has just reported that Peskov signalled Moscow may be reconsidering the ceasefire offer. “We need to think about this. This is a new development,” he is quoted as saying.

Source: BBC, PAP

Photo:@donaldtusk

Tomasz Modrzejewski