Ukraine and Allies Push for 30-Day Unconditional Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Russian Attacks

Ukraine and its Western allies announced readiness for a “full, unconditional ceasefire” with Russia starting Monday, in a renewed push to end the nearly three-year war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made the declaration Saturday as leaders from four major European nations visited Kyiv to advocate for peace talks and press Moscow for an agreement.

The joint initiative came on the heels of what Sybiha described as a “constructive” phone conversation involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussions underscored international backing for an immediate truce, following the expiration of a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by Russia — one that Ukraine said had been violated over 700 times within its first day.

Saturday’s diplomatic push coincided with the visit of leaders from France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, who arrived together by train in Kyiv. They joined Zelenskyy at a commemorative event in Kyiv's Independence Square marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The leaders lit candles at a makeshift flag memorial honoring Ukrainian soldiers and civilians killed since Russia’s invasion.

The visit marked the first time all four European leaders traveled jointly to Ukraine, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz making his inaugural trip to the country since taking office. Their presence signaled increased European resolve to bring an end to the conflict and to promote defense cooperation on the continent.

“The Russian ceasefire was a farce,” Sybiha said Thursday, accusing Kremlin forces of continuing their assaults despite the declared pause in hostilities. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials reported ongoing attacks even as the ceasefire was in effect.

In a joint statement, the visiting leaders voiced support for President Trump’s call for a peace deal and urged Russia to cease hindering efforts toward a lasting resolution. “Alongside the U.S., we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace,” the statement read.

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, emphasized that the proposed truce would cover air, land, sea, and infrastructure attacks, describing it as a “comprehensive” step toward ending the largest war in Europe since World War II.

Despite Zelenskyy’s acceptance of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan, Russia has yet to endorse it and continues military operations along the 1,000-mile front line. Ukrainian officials reported deadly Russian strikes over the past 24 hours, including in Sumy, where three civilians were killed and four injured, and in Kherson, where a drone strike killed one man.

Speaking in Kyiv, French President Emmanuel Macron called the meeting of European leaders “a historic moment for European defense” and a shift toward greater continental security independence. “It’s a new era. It’s a Europe that sees itself as a power,” Macron said.

President Trump expressed doubt last week about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war, signaling a cautious outlook on a swift resolution and suggesting further sanctions against Moscow might be necessary.

Efforts to achieve peace have stagnated since Trump’s return to the White House, and past predictions of imminent breakthroughs have not materialized. Trump has previously pushed for territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia, warning of potential U.S. disengagement if negotiations fail to progress.

For Ukraine’s European allies, ending the war is critical to the continent’s broader security. With uncertainty over continued U.S. involvement, European pressure is intensifying to bolster military support for Kyiv regardless of Washington’s stance.

Ukrainian presidential aide Andrii Yermak, who welcomed the European leaders at Kyiv’s main train station, emphasized the need for a just peace. “We need to force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire,” he wrote on Telegram.

Later in the day, the European leaders and Zelenskyy held a virtual meeting to brief other nations on the development of a proposed “coalition of the willing.” This coalition would support Ukraine’s armed forces post-conflict and could potentially include troop deployments to enforce any future peace agreement with Russia