**European Leaders Unite with US to Demand 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine**
In a significant move, European leaders have joined forces with the United States to demand a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. This development comes as leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Poland, and other countries met in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, to discuss advancing peace talks.
The call for a ceasefire was originally proposed by US President Donald Trump, who reiterated his request after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a joint statement, the European leaders expressed their support for the proposal and warned that if it is not respected, they will impose further sanctions on Russia.
**A Symbolic Show of Solidarity**
The presence of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish PM Donald Tusk, and new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv was a symbolic response to the more than 20 leaders who joined Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last Friday. This show of unity highlights the European community’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russia’s “barbaric and illegal” full-scale invasion.
**The Coalition of the Willing**
The meeting also marked the formation of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” which aims to reinforce any eventual peace agreement with security guarantees, including the possibility of placing troops in Ukraine. This development suggests that European leaders are serious about providing a robust response to Russia’s actions and are willing to take concrete steps to ensure peace is maintained.
**Russia Unfazed by Sanctions Threat**
However, Russian officials seem unfazed by the threat of sanctions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia was already “used to sanctions” and knew how to minimize their impact. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev went further, telling European allies to “shove these peace plans.” These comments suggest that Russia remains committed to its aggressive stance in Ukraine.
**Reports of Ongoing Attacks**
Despite the calls for a ceasefire, reports continue to emerge of Russian attacks across Ukraine. In recent incidents, an 85-year-old woman was killed, three others were injured, and several buildings were destroyed or damaged in the northern Sumy region. Another incident occurred in Kostyantynivka, eastern Donetsk region, where one person was injured and two apartment blocks caught fire after Russian attacks.
As the situation on the ground remains volatile, it is clear that European leaders are taking a firm stance against Russia’s actions. However, the effectiveness of their efforts will depend on whether they can translate their words into concrete action and convince Russia to respect the proposed ceasefire.
