Ukraine Agrees 30-Day Ceasefire Backed by US, Europe Amid Russia Standoff

Ukraine and its Western allies, including the United States and key European powers, have agreed to initiate a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, aiming to pave the way for peace negotiations to end the ongoing war with Russia. This agreement followed high-level talks in Kyiv involving leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and a subsequent discussion with US President Donald Trump, who has re-engaged diplomatically and supports the ceasefire plan. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that the ceasefire would cover land, air, and sea, and that effective monitoring is essential for its success. Despite Ukraine's readiness, Russia's participation remains uncertain, as Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conditioned Russia's involvement on halting Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, expressing concerns that the ceasefire could advantage Ukraine. The proposal has been backed by the European Union, which views the pause in hostilities as vital for reducing civilian suffering and enabling meaningful peace talks. Meanwhile, Ukraine maintains military readiness in case of ceasefire violations, while international pressure mounts on Moscow to de-escalate the conflict.