In a historic gathering in Kyiv on May 10, 2025, leaders from Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland issued a stern ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin: agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire by Monday or confront severe sanctions and increased military support for Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood together in Kyiv, symbolizing a consolidated Western stance against Russian aggression. The leaders emphasized that the proposed ceasefire must be unconditional and serve as a stepping stone toward meaningful peace negotiations.
“We have just now decided to support a ceasefire which will begin next Monday, without any preconditions,” Macron announced during a press conference. He further warned that any violation of this ceasefire would trigger “massive sanctions” coordinated between European nations and the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously threatened to withdraw from peace talks due to a lack of progress, expressed support for the ceasefire proposal. In a video conference with the Kyiv summit attendees, Trump conveyed his backing for the initiative, marking a significant shift in his administration’s approach to the conflict.
However, Trump’s relationship with Zelenskyy has been strained. Earlier this year, Trump suspended U.S. military aid to Ukraine, citing dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations. This decision impacted over $1 billion in arms and ammunition slated for delivery to Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s reaction to the ceasefire proposal was dismissive. Russian officials, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, rejected the plan, with Medvedev reportedly using vulgar language to express his disdain. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would not be intimidated by sanctions and insisted that any ceasefire must not provide a military advantage to Kyiv.
President Putin, while not outright rejecting the ceasefire, expressed skepticism about Western intentions. He accused Ukraine’s Western backers of wanting to “continue war with Russia” and criticized European “ultimatums” and “anti-Russian rhetoric.”
The Kyiv summit also highlighted the role of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of 31 countries pledging support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. This coalition, led by the UK and France, has expressed readiness to contribute to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, contingent upon a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. The coalition’s four-point plan includes maintaining military aid to Ukraine, increasing economic pressure on Russia, ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty in any peace agreement, and developing a security guarantee mechanism for Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen endorsed the ceasefire proposal, emphasizing that it must be implemented without preconditions to pave the way for meaningful peace negotiations. She warned of additional “biting” sanctions if Russia fails to comply.
The symbolic show of European unity came a day after Putin struck a defiant tone at a Moscow parade marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Despite a unilateral three-day truce ordered by Putin for the event, Ukrainian forces reported continued fighting, casting doubt on Russia’s commitment to peace.
The Kyiv summit represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The unified stance of Western leaders, coupled with the proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire, places significant pressure on Russia to de-escalate the situation. As the Monday deadline approaches, the international community watches closely to see whether Russia will comply or face the promised repercussions.
