Leaders from France, Germany, Poland and the UK arrived together at Kiev’s railway station, where they met Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky. Shortly afterwards, they laid flowers on a makeshift flag memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kiev’s Independence Square at the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The visit was the first time that leaders from four countries had traveled to Ukraine together, and Friedrich Merz was his first visit to Ukraine as Germany’s new prime minister.
Along with US President Donald Trump, European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow peace talks to end the conflict. In March, the US promptly proposed a 30-day war that Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has the condition of a ceasefire due to its preference.
“We call on President Trump to support his request for a peace agreement and to stop blocking Russia’s efforts to ensure lasting peace,” the leader said in a joint statement. “Along with the United States, we are calling on Russia to agree to a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, creating space for consultations on just and lasting peace.”
Andri Yamak, aide to the Ukrainian president, wrote in his telegram:
Later that day, the leaders were expected to hold a virtual meeting with Zelensky, supporting the Ukrainian army after the peace agreement and renew other leaders for the future so-called “coalition of wills” that could potentially deploy their troops to Ukraine to police future peace agreements with Russia.
