Several European leaders on Friday expressed support for US president Donald Trump’s call for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump phoned several European leaders on Thursday evening.
Following a phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, Trump wrote on social media about “ideally a 30-day unconditional ceasefire”, and threatened sanctions against those who would not respect it. “I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans,” Trump posted.
After the call, Zelensky said Ukraine was ready for a 30-day ceasefire “starting this minute”. He added that his country was ready for peace talks, but not before Russia shows “that it is serious about ending the war, starting with a full and unconditional ceasefire”.
European support
Trump’s proposal was backed by several European leaders on Friday. During a press conference in Brussels on Friday, German chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had discussed the plan with Trump during a phone call on Thursday evening. Merz called on Russia to work towards a lasting peace.
Other European leaders also backed Trump’s ceasefire proposal. After a meeting between British and Norwegian officials, Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre said he had also been in contact with Trump on Thursday. The call for a ceasefire “has been accepted and understood, as well as the need to put pressure on Russia,” the prime minister said.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has yet to respond. Russia is marking the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany with a major military parade in Moscow on Friday. As part of the celebrations, Putin announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire. Ukraine did not accept this proposal and accused Russia of breaking its own ceasefire.
