On Saturday in Kyiv, leaders from four prominent European nations demonstrated unity by threatening to increase pressure if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
The leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland stated that the proposal to initiate the ceasefire on Monday had the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, whom they briefed via phone earlier that day. Their call for ceasefire came amidst increased efforts to encourage Moscow to agree to a truce that would enable peace negotiations after more than three years of intensive conflict.
Last week, Trump expressed doubt that Putin is willing to end the war in Ukraine, indicating increased skepticism about reaching a peace agreement soon and alluding to the possibility of more sanctions against Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy looks on on the day they meet at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2025. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
Progress on ending the war has seemed elusive in the months since Trump returned to the White House, and his previous claims of imminent breakthroughs have failed to come to fruition. Trump has previously pushed Ukraine to cede territory to Russia to end the war, threatening to walk away if a deal becomes too difficult.
Ukraine’s European allies view its fate as fundamental to the continent’s security, and pressure is now mounting to find ways to support Kyiv militarily, regardless of whether Trump pulls out.
