The leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland have urged Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine as of Monday.
In a joint statement published on the UK government’s website on Saturday, the four leaders have expressed solidarity with Ukraine against “Russia’s barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion.”
“We reiterate our backing for President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace. Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace,” the statement reads.
Calling for an end to the bloodshed and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the leaders pledged to scale up support for Kyiv and pressure on Moscow until Russia agrees to a ceasefire.
Saturday also marked the last day of the three-day truce announced by Vladimir Putin that Kyiv says Russian forces have violated. Russia this week introduced a unilateral ceasefire to honour the anniversary of Soviet Union’s victory of Nazi Germany that was celebrated with a military parade in Moscow. Kyiv described Moscow’s truce proposal as “theatrical” and offered a one-month cease-fire instead.
