Sat May 10 06:42:09 UTC 2025: ## European Leaders Arrive in Kyiv to Pressure Russia for Ceasefire
**Kyiv, Ukraine** – The leaders of France, Germany, Britain, and Poland arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aiming to increase pressure on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. The joint visit, a highly symbolic display of European unity, follows a defiant military parade in Moscow celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in World War II.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived by train from Poland. Their visit comes after US President Donald Trump proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, a proposal so far resisted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a joint statement, the European leaders reiterated their support for Trump’s call for a ceasefire and peace talks, emphasizing that the bloodshed must end and Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected. They vowed to increase pressure on Russia’s war machine until a lasting ceasefire is agreed upon.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that arms deliveries to Ukraine must cease before Russia would consider a ceasefire, claiming that a truce would benefit Ukraine while Russian forces are advancing. He also asserted that Ukraine is not yet ready for negotiations.
The visit underscores the steadfast commitment of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Following their meeting with Zelenskyy, the leaders will hold a virtual meeting to update other European leaders on plans for a future European security force to support Ukraine post-conflict. French President Macron has called for a rapid development of a US-Europe plan for the ceasefire, backed by substantial economic sanctions in case of breach.
The timing of the visit is notable, occurring a day after Putin’s Victory Day parade, which was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. A French official highlighted the visit as a demonstration of Europe’s unity and responsiveness. Despite Putin’s belligerent stance, Macron suggested that territorial discussions could occur following a ceasefire. Russia currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
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