Prime Minister Donald Tusk, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski called Russia in Kiev on Saturday in Kiev for unconditional arms suspension from Monday to 30 days and joining peace conversations.
The initiative was supported by leaders of about 30 countries of the “Coalitions of Volunteers” who merged with Kiev online. The proposal was also supported by US President Donald Trump.
“Today's meeting is a very important signal from the leaders of France, Great Britain, Germany and Poland. This is a sign of the real unification of Europe in Ukraine. This unity is to bring real peace and guarantee long -term security,” said Zelanski after talks with European leaders.
He added that “the most important result of our conversations is absolutely one common position: we have determined that from Monday, May 12, the total and unconditional fire of the fire is to begin for at least 30 days.”
Zełenski said that if Russia does not accept a truce and try to extend its own conditions, it would mean that the Kremlin does not want peace and intends to continue the war. He added that the suspension of the weapon is to apply in the air, at sea and on land. He noted that ensuring monitoring of a truce is “absolutely possible” in coordination with the United States.
In his opinion, a weapon suspension is needed to “give real opportunities” for diplomatic efforts. “At this time, the work will be focused on determining the basics of peace in the field of security, politics and humanitarian activities,” he emphasized.
He declared that not only European countries, but also the US, which – as he reminded – proposed it first, during March negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
The President of Ukraine announced that during talks in Kiev it was established that it was a priority to strengthen his country's defense forces. “The (military) support contingent is also a key element of a security guarantee,” he noted.
He noted that Ukraine conducts an intensive dialogue with the US president. “We are in constant contact with Washington. A moment ago we all talked to President Trump, we agreed a common position and further actions,” said Zelanski.
Prime Minister Tusk admitted in Kiev that “for the first time in a long time we had the feeling that the whole free world was united.”
“This is not about slogans, but about the decisions we made. The whole world from New Zealand to Canada, from Iceland to Ukraine, the United States, the entire United Europe, Norway – yes, we all spoke with one voice. And it was not a voice of naivety. We realize that the real test is just ahead of us, and before Russia, before Putin. We will wait for Russia's reaction.”
“If Russia rejects this proposal, no one will have any doubts, no one will have the right to doubt who is in favor of peace and who is in favor of war,” said the Polish prime minister, warning that in the event of rejection “we will” be ready to strengthen sanctions. ” He described Ukraine's readiness to join peaceful talks without preliminary conditions as a “great gesture.”
President Macron warned that European and US countries would impose “massive” and “coordinated” sanctions on Russia in the event of a violation of a 30-day suspension of weapons in Ukraine. The French leader assured that “all Europeans would make their contribution” to the process of supervising a ceasefire.
Macron reminded that Kiev already accepted the proposal of “total and unconditional” suspension of weapons, while the Kremlin “hesitates, puts conditions, buys time and continues his war.” “Peace will have to guarantee the safety of Ukraine. We worked on this at meetings in Paris, London and we are working today in Kiev,” he emphasized.
Also the prime minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer emphasized the “absolute unity” between Europe, the USA and Ukraine regarding the introduction of an unconditional, 30-day suspension of weapons. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in turn, noted that “if the Kremlin rejects a ceasefire, which may be the basis for immediately starting negotiations, we will continue to defend Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia.”
The appeals and warnings of European leaders at Russia were already commented on by the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pieskow, calling them “contradictory” and “confrontational”. He also announced that Russia cannot be intimidated with the threat of sanctions, because it is used to them – said Russian agencies cited by Reuters and CTK. “We hear many contradictory statements from Europe. They are generally confronted rather than aimed at renewing our relationships. Nothing more” – said Pieskow. Earlier, on Friday, in an interview with ABC television, Peskov stated that in order for a 30-day truce between Russia and Ukraine, Western countries would have to stop the supply of arms to Kiev. Otherwise, according to him, Kyiv will use this period to mobilize and rotate troops.
President Trump called on Thursday to a 30-day unconditional suspension of weapons, threatening sanctions for disadvantage of a truce. At the same time, he announced that he would remain involved in peace talks together with Europeans.
Commenting on the meeting of the “Coalition of Volunteers” in Kiev, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance was in favor of the findings adopted there. The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote on platform X that the EU “supports the proposal of a full and unconditional 30-day suspension of weapons” and is ready to “maintain strong pressure on Russia and impose further sanctions in the event of violation of a truce.”
“Coalition of the Volunteers” was created on March 2 this year. On the initiative of the Prime Minister of Great Britain in order to develop a comprehensive support plan for Ukraine, ensure its constant access to weapons and take action to end the war. It includes 33 countries – mainly European, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Türkiye. The coalition did not include USA, some Balkan countries, Hungary and Slovakia.
The format enables NATO members to jointly actions outside the formal structure of the alliance, which avoids the potential veto of countries that do not want to engage in military projects for Ukraine.
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ankara is ready to monitor any Russian-Ukrainian truce
The Mister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Hakan Fidan has transferred to European leaders that Ankara is ready to undertake the obligation to monitor the possible suspension of weapons in Ukraine – found out the Reuters agency from the source at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Representatives of about 30 countries also participated in the summit. Minister Fidan, who joined the “Coalition of Volunteer Coalition”, emphasized Turkey's involvement in the territorial integrity of Ukraine, said the Reuters Source in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fidan expressed the support of Ankara for their efforts for an unconditional suspension of weapons.
Türkiye maintains intricate relationships with both Kiev and Moscow. She expressed support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and gave her military assistance, while opposing sanctions against Russia. (PAP)
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