French President Emmanuel Macron phoned the U.S. President to brief him on the discussions that took place in Kyiv.
Trump Backs European Push for Putin to Accept Ceasefire in Ukraine
Western Leaders Unite in Kyiv to Demand Unconditional 30-Day Truce from Moscow
European leaders have ramped up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to agree to a 30-day, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. During a high-level meeting in Kyiv on Saturday, the leaders warned that failure to comply would result in stricter sanctions against Russia and increased military support for Ukraine.
Importantly, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the European initiative, according to those involved in the talks. European leaders said Trump has agreed to assist in both the enforcement and monitoring of any future ceasefire agreement.
“No More Excuses,” Say European Leaders
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made it clear that Putin must stop stalling: “No more ifs, no more buts, no more delays. It’s time for a ceasefire and a path to lasting peace,” he said after meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Though Putin did not directly respond to the ceasefire demand, he later proposed direct peace talks in Istanbul on May 15. He stated that Russia was interested in “serious negotiations for a strong, lasting peace,” as reported by the BBC.
The Kyiv meeting came shortly after the Kremlin rejected any extended truce as long as the West continues arming Ukraine. In response, President Macron criticized Russia’s stance, calling it a deliberate delay tactic: “Any demand that complicates the process is simply an excuse to avoid peace,” he told journalists.
Trump Takes Early Call, Endorses Plan
During the talks at Zelenskyy’s Mariinsky Palace, Macron placed a call to Trump early in the morning U.S. time to brief him on the situation. Trump answered, despite the early hour, and reportedly gave his full backing to the plan, two officials confirmed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later posted a photo of the call, calling it “a productive conversation.” Macron also emphasized that the ceasefire, if accepted, would be monitored primarily by the U.S., with support from European countries.
“This is a key step to start negotiations for a durable peace — one that addresses territorial disputes, critical energy infrastructure, and long-term security guarantees,” Macron added.
More Sanctions on the Table
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed Trump’s support, calling it “encouraging,” and noted that Washington had committed to help oversee any truce. He also revealed that multiple other nations — including Canada, Turkey, and New Zealand — joined the talks virtually and backed the move.
Merz warned that if Russia refuses the ceasefire, a “Global Coalition of the Willing” is ready to roll out further sanctions. Zelenskyy said the next wave would hit Russia’s energy and banking sectors the hardest.
Germany Moves to ‘Strategic Ambiguity’ on Arms Aid
When asked if Germany would send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine — a topic that had stirred political tensions in Berlin — Merz declined to comment, saying such decisions shouldn’t be debated publicly.
In line with this approach, the German government announced it would no longer disclose specific details of the weapons and ammunition it sends to Ukraine. The strategy, dubbed “strategic ambiguity,” was inspired by Macron’s similar approach last year. The goal is to prevent Russia from calculating exactly what the West is supplying and to avoid domestic political backlash.
Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment, declining to comment on specific arms shipments: “I’d prefer not to speak publicly about particular weapons or quantities,” he said.
More Support for Ukraine’s Defense Efforts
Another concrete outcome from the Kyiv summit is a pledge from Western allies to boost financial and logistical aid to Ukraine. This support will help ramp up production and delivery of critical defense equipment, including tanks, drones, ammunition, and potentially long-range missiles.
One European official noted the importance of Merz’s involvement, highlighting Germany’s crucial financial role in supporting Ukraine’s defense industry going forward.
