European Leaders Visit Kyiv Press Russia for 30-Day Ceasefire

The leaders of France, Britain, Germany, and Poland made a historic joint visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and press Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire as a step toward ending the ongoing conflict. Arriving symbolically by train, the European leaders emphasized their unified stance on achieving a just and lasting peace, with French President Emmanuel Macron highlighting the necessity of an unconditional ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine. The visit included a ceremony at Independence Square honoring fallen Ukrainian soldiers, underscoring the human cost of the war and the leaders' solidarity with Ukraine. The joint call for a ceasefire aligns with a similar proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, although Russia has so far resisted the initiative. The European leaders also planned to discuss the creation of a European security force for Ukraine post-conflict and stressed the importance of maintaining U.S. support for any peace talks. This unprecedented show of European unity serves as both a symbolic and practical effort to advance peace and demonstrate support for Ukraine amid the protracted war.