The EU increases the pressure on Russia and threatens it with massive sanctions if it does not accept the 30 -day armistice / Moscow puts a great condition

Germany's new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, threatened Moscow with “a massive tightening of sanctions” if Russian President Vladimir Putin will reject the 30 -day armistice requested by Europeans and Americans, France Presse reports. The head of the European Commission also said that “the ball is in the field of Russia” and the EU is ready to impose harsh sanctions if it is not a cessation of complete and unconditional fire. The Kremlin said, however, that for an armistice it is necessary to stop Western armament deliveries to Ukraine, because otherwise it would have an advantage in the war.

If the Kremlin refuses, “there will be a massive tightening of sanctions and will continue the massive help for Ukraine. Politically, of course, but also financial and military,” Merz said in an interview with the German daily Bild.

“We agree with the US government, Donald Trump. We are asking for a 30 -day fire, so that the peace negotiations can be prepared during this period. The ball is now in Putin's field. Putin must respond to this offer,” the chancellor insisted, who visits Kiev on Saturday together with the French leaders.

The US president “clearly loses his patience with Putin,” he added in the mentioned interview.

The Conservative Chancellor, who took over the mandate on Tuesday, did not categorically exclude a direct discussion with the Kremlin leader, when he received a question on this topic.

“If it proves to be necessary, if it can help to cease this war, I am ready to do a lot. But first we have to see if, after this weekend, we can reach the cessation of fire,” he said.

But Russia puts a great condition for an armistice

Russia, however, reported that it would request the stop of American and European weapons to Ukraine during any possible cessation of fire.

“Otherwise, it will be an advantage for Ukraine. Ukraine will continue their total mobilization, bringing new troops on the (line) front,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, in an interview with ABC News, according to Reuters.

“Ukraine will use this period to train new soldiers and give a rest to the existing. So why should we give such an advantage?” He said.

US President Donald Trump urged Russia and Ukraine on Friday to “end this stupid war”, while putting pressure on a 30 -day fire that Ukraine says is willing to accept.

But Peskov, in the quoted interview, has reaffirmed the concerns of Russia that Putin has made public since March 13 and exposed in a telephone call with Trump on March 18th.

“An end to the fire was supported by President Putin, but he asked several questions. He said that at this moment we have certain dynamics on the front, the Russian troops advances and advances in a fairly confident way,” he said.

“So, if we talk about the cessation of fire, what will we do with the transport of weapons that come every day from the United States and the European countries?” Peskov said.

“The ball is in the field of Russia,” reports Brussels

The European Commission said on Saturday that it insists on a total armistice for 30 days, adding that it is ready to impose hard sanctions if Moscow does not accept.

“The coalition of the will has gathered today,” wrote on the social network X the head of the European Executive, Ursula von der Leyen, given that the European leaders had discussions on this topic.

The leaders of important EU countries, such as Emmanuel Macron, Keith Starmer, Friedrich Merz or Donald Tusk went to Kiev as a message of support for Ukraine, and others participated through the video conference on Saturday, among them being interim president Ilie Bolojan.

“We support the proposal for a complete and unconditional fire cease for 30 days. It must be implemented without prior conditions to open the path of significant peace negotiations,” said von der Leyen.

“The ball is now in the field of Russia. We are prepared to maintain a strong pressure on Russia and to impose new sanctions in the case of the cessation of fire. Our goal is clear: a fair and sustainable peace, which is vital to the security and stability throughout our continent,” she added.