Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, and Poland urged the Russian president to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire by Monday or face heightened sanctions and increased weapon supplies to Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin has turned down the ceasefire ultimatum set forth by European leaders. The heads of state from Britain, France, Germany, and Poland demanded that the Russian president either accept a ceasefire without conditions by Monday or encounter stricter sanctions and additional weapons support for Ukraine.
“Together with the US, we are challenging Putin. If he is genuinely interested in peace, now is his opportunity to demonstrate it,” stated UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a joint press conference of the five leaders in Kyiv.
Starmer emphasized that the leaders were insisting on “an unconditional ceasefire, dismissing Putin’s terms, and are clear that if he rejects the opportunity for peace, we will respond in cooperation with President Trump and all our allies by intensifying sanctions and boosting military assistance for Ukraine’s defense to pressure Russia back to negotiations.”
Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz arrived together on the same train to the Ukrainian capital on Saturday morning, while Donald Tusk traveled on a different train. The leaders convened with Zelenskyy for discussions in central Kyiv. This marks Macron’s first visit to Kyiv since the summer of 2022, while it was Merz's initial trip as chancellor, having just assumed office this week.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, reported on X that “all five leaders had a productive conversation with @POTUS concentrating on peace efforts,” sharing a photo of the five leaders gathered around a mobile phone on speaker mode.
Sybiha continued, stating, “Ukraine and all allies are prepared for a complete, unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for a minimum of 30 days starting this Monday. Should Russia acquiesce and effective monitoring be established, a lasting ceasefire along with confidence-building measures could pave the way for peace discussions.”
Russia's reaction to the ultimatum was delivered during a press conference for Russian media and Western TV networks, which took place in the Kremlin around 2 am local time on Sunday morning. Putin dismissed the ceasefire calls but expressed readiness for direct discussions with Ukraine.
He proposed that representatives from both nations could convene in Istanbul this Thursday to initiate talks. “We do not rule out that during these discussions, we will be able to agree on new ceasefires,” Putin remarked.
Macron stated on Sunday that Putin’s proposal for talks was “a preliminary step, but not sufficient.” “An unconditional ceasefire cannot be contingent upon negotiations,” the French president pointed out, noting that the Russian leader appeared “to be seeking an exit strategy, yet he still aims to buy more time.”
Ukraine and European capitals have previously insisted on a complete ceasefire as a prerequisite for starting negotiations. Putin departed the briefing, having kept journalists waiting for up to seven hours, without addressing any inquiries.
There was no immediate update from the White House regarding the call or whether Trump had made specific promises in the event Putin declines the ceasefire.
In an initial indication that Russia might not respond favorably to the latest ultimatum, the hardline former president, Dmitry Medvedev, stated on X: “Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk were meant to talk about peace in Kyiv. Instead, they’re throwing threats at Russia… You think that’s wise, huh? Pack these peace proposals up your pangender behinds.”
Meanwhile, Moscow unilaterally announced a three-day ceasefire starting on 8 May, which Kyiv asserted was intended to prevent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Soviet victory in World War II, taking place in Moscow on Friday.
Thousands of soldiers paraded through Red Square for the annual Victory Day festivities, with several world leaders in attendance, notably China’s Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The presence of Robert Fico and Aleksandar Vučić, the prime ministers of EU member Slovakia and the president of EU aspirant Serbia, respectively, also sparked annoyance among other European leaders.
Hostilities have persisted along the frontlines during the purported ceasefire, according to both sides, but Russia has mostly abstained from drone and missile strikes on Ukraine.
“Putin didn’t require conditions when he sought a ceasefire to hold a parade, and he doesn’t need them now. Ukraine has repeatedly shown its willingness to engage, yet time and again, Putin has declined,” Starmer remarked.
Starmer noted that Putin has misinterpreted the lessons of World War II. “We recognize the teachings of history, lessons that any veteran of Normandy or North Africa, or any other campaign, will affirm, which Putin has failed to comprehend. There is no honor in aggression and conquest; true glory lies in fighting for your homeland, defending your people, and securing peace,” he stated.
Macron also mentioned VE Day, stating that “the defense of the principles upon which our continent and, more broadly, the international order is founded” is at risk due to the war in Ukraine.
On Saturday morning, the four European leaders visited Maidan in Kyiv alongside Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska. In the central square, thousands of flags have been displayed to honor those who lost their lives in the conflict with Russia. The leaders paid tribute and observed a moment of silence before proceeding to discussions with Zelenskyy. Following this, the five participated in a virtual meeting with additional leaders regarding advancements on a proposed “air, land, maritime and regeneration force” intended to be part of a peace agreement.
Trump has not yet publicly addressed his discussion with the group of leaders. When asked by reporters in the Oval Office on Friday if he had a message for Putin, he replied, “I have a message for both parties: end this war.” He further stated, “Let’s get this ridiculous war concluded. That’s my message for both of them.”
The Trump administration has so far taken a tougher stance on Kyiv than on Moscow, but there are slight indications that the sentiment in Washington may be shifting, following a positive meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the Vatican during the pope’s funeral.
Even the vice president, JD Vance, who is viewed as one of the more skeptical voices regarding support for Ukraine, has recently criticized Russia's position. “Currently, the Russians are proposing certain conditions and concessions to resolve the conflict. We believe their demands are excessive,” he remarked this week.
Late on Friday night, the US embassy in Kyiv issued a public alert stating that it had received intelligence suggesting a “potentially significant airstrike that could happen at any moment in the coming days.” While further details were not provided, it later became known that Russia plans to close its airspace over the Kapustin Yar missile testing range on Monday and Tuesday, which could signal an impending ballistic missile launch.
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