German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are in Kyiv today.

In a joint statement, the four leading European heads of state and government call on Russia to pave the way for a 30-day ceasefire.

“We call on Russia to stop blocking efforts to achieve lasting peace,” the document says.

“Together with the United States, we appeal to Moscow to agree to a complete and unconditional ceasefire to prepare the ground for serious negotiations.”

The initiative also marks a political turnaround: for the first time since US President Donald Trump took office, Washington and Europe’s most important heads of government are once again pulling in the same direction on the Ukraine issue – at least on this point. In recent months, Trump had attempted to broker peace on his own, but in doing so had exerted controversial pressure on Kiev to force concessions from the Kremlin. This had triggered massive criticism in Europe.

Now a common ground seems to be emerging: military hostilities are to be paused to allow structured peace talks to begin. At the same time, it is emphasized that a peaceful solution is only possible on the basis of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders – a clear contradiction to Russian territorial claims.

European leaders emphasize clear goals

In their statement, the four heads of state and government underscore their willingness to “hold technical talks on the implementation of a ceasefire as soon as possible” and to create the conditions for a comprehensive peace agreement.

The goal: an end to the bloodshed, a withdrawal of Russian troops, and a free, sovereign Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Situation on the ground remains tense

Russian troops continue to control 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including parts of the Donbas and the annexed Crimea. Fighting continues on both sides despite increasing diplomatic activity. The planned visit of the four European leaders to Kyiv is therefore seen not only as a political signal, but also as a clear commitment to Ukraine.

Already on Thursday night, as reported by exxtra24, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in one of his selfie videos that Ukraine was also ready for a 30-day ceasefire.

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Credit: APA