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Starmer, Macron, Merz and Tusk arrived in Kiev today for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, after Russia's Vladimir Putin hosted his allies at a Victory Day parade in Red Square.
European leaders' meeting with the Ukrainian President will discuss a US and European proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the Russian war in Ukraine, which if rejected by Moscow would lead to the joint imposition of new sanctions, a French diplomatic source said, adding that this step had not yet been finalized.
This is the first time that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have traveled together to Ukraine.
"Together with the US, we call on Russia to agree to a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just and lasting peace," the four leaders said in a joint statement.
The visit comes at an unpredictable diplomatic moment in Russia's more than three-year war with Ukraine. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a quick peace after reversing his predecessor's policies since entering the White House in January.
After engaging directly with Russian officials, publicly clashing with Zelenskiy, and briefly cutting off vital military aid to Ukraine, the Trump administration has improved ties with Kiev and signed a hard-won mineral resources deal.
There has also been a noticeable shift in tone from Trump, who has signaled growing frustration with Putin's procrastination on a ceasefire and Russia's restatement of its demands for a settlement.
Trump has threatened to increase sanctions against Russia, but he has also said he could abandon peace efforts if there is no progress. He called on Thursday for a 30-day ceasefire, and Zelenskiy said he would be ready to implement it immediately.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Friday that Russia supports implementing a 30-day ceasefire in the conflict, but only taking into account "nuances."
Putin hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders at a military parade in Red Square on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, sending a defiant message that he is not isolated.
On the same day, European ministers expressed support for a special court to prosecute the Russian president and his officials for crimes of aggression, showing support for Zelenskiy, who on Thursday sharply criticized Putin for planning a "parade of bile and lies."
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