European Leaders Urge 30-Day Ceasefire in Kyiv: Russia Faces Tough Sanctions if Demands Are Ignored | CNN

European Leaders Push for Ceasefire in Ukraine

In a press conference in Kyiv, leaders from Germany, France, the UK, and Poland told Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for this pause, backed by the White House and a recent conversation with then-President Donald Trump.

Standing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the European leaders emphasized that this ceasefire should apply to land, sea, and air operations. “If successful, it could lead to negotiations for lasting peace,” Macron said.

Zelensky announced, “We demand an unconditional ceasefire from Russia, and we have the U.S. backing us.” A delay in responding to the proposal could mean complex tasks like satellite monitoring must be set up quickly.

The leaders arrived in Kyiv early Saturday, where they honored Ukraine’s fallen soldiers at a memorial. They later discussed the ceasefire with President Trump during a phone call, which Ukraine’s Foreign Minister described as “fruitful.”

For over two months, Ukraine has sought immediate peace, an idea supported by its European allies and Trump. However, Russia remains hesitant, citing “nuances” that need addressing. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated these nuances might include halting arms supplies from the West.

Interestingly, Putin has consistently raised concerns about NATO’s expansion, viewing it as a root cause of the ongoing tensions. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump warned that failure to adhere to the ceasefire might lead to increased sanctions by the U.S. and its partners.

Historically, the U.S. stance on this conflict shifted significantly with Trump’s administration, leaving Ukraine and its allies wary of U.S. support. European leaders have been rallying, aiming to bolster military aid to Ukraine while ensuring the U.S. stays aligned against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia opts for short-term ceasefires rather than a long-lasting agreement. The latest such pause coincided with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9. During this period, Ukraine reported many attacks despite temporary reductions in missile strikes on its cities.

Adding to the tension, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert, warning of potential significant air attacks in the coming days. The stakes are high, and the world is watching closely as this situation unfolds.

For further insights, you can check reports from CNN and ABC News.

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