Image: The leaders of Poland, the UK, France, and Germany joined Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky (centre) in Kyiv – BBC
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
Kyiv, Ukraine — May 10, 2025 – A high-stakes diplomatic push unfolded in Kyiv on Friday as European leaders joined U.S. President Donald Trump in a call for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, set to begin Monday. The proposal, initially floated by Trump, gained new momentum during a summit of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The gathering saw French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrive in Kyiv for in-person talks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and leaders from Canada and Italy joined remotely, signaling broad international coordination.
In a joint statement, the coalition called on Russia to accept a “full and unconditional” ceasefire to pave the way for peace talks aimed at ending the two-year-long full-scale invasion. “We will stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s barbaric and illegal invasion,” the leaders declared.
President Trump, speaking after a direct phone call with Zelensky, reiterated the demand for a halt in hostilities. “If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions,” he warned in a social media post.
Von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, stating the European Union was prepared to implement “further biting sanctions” should Moscow violate the truce.
The diplomatic initiative comes just as a 30-hour ceasefire, declared unilaterally by Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark Victory Day, nears its expiration. While it led to a temporary reduction in fighting, both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of ceasefire violations.
Despite mounting international pressure, the Kremlin dismissed the threat of more sanctions. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “There is no point in trying to scare us with these sanctions. Russia is used to them and knows how to mitigate their impact.”
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was even more dismissive, telling European leaders to “shove these peace plans,” in a statement that underscored Moscow’s resistance to the West’s diplomatic efforts.
On the ground, Russian attacks continued across Ukraine despite the supposed pause in hostilities. Ukrainian authorities reported:
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In the northern Sumy region, an 85-year-old woman was killed, and 19 homes were destroyed.
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In Donetsk, one civilian was injured and multiple apartment blocks were set ablaze.
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In Kherson, a resident suffered injuries from a Russian drone carrying explosives.
The “coalition of the willing,” established to back any future peace framework with concrete security guarantees, has not ruled out placing international troops in Ukraine should a durable agreement be reached.
As war-weary Ukrainians and global powers look for a breakthrough, the proposed 30-day ceasefire may prove to be a pivotal test of Russia’s willingness to re-engage in serious negotiations—or yet another flashpoint in a grinding conflict with no clear end in sight.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.