French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have arrived in Kyiv. The visit is part of a meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing,’ a group of leading European countries seeking to promote peace in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz published a joint statement by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom on social media. In it, they declared their unity and solidarity with Ukraine against the backdrop of ‘Russia’s ongoing barbaric and illegal invasion.’
European leaders supported US President Donald Trump’s call for a peaceful agreement and urged Russia to ‘stop blocking efforts to achieve lasting peace.’ Together with the US, they demand that Moscow agree to a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create conditions for negotiations on a just and lasting peace.
‘We are ready to support peace talks that will lead as soon as possible to the implementation of a ceasefire and the preparation of a comprehensive peace agreement,’ the statement said.
Merz stressed that the bloodshed must be stopped and Ukraine must be able to develop as a sovereign state within its internationally recognised borders. He also said he’s planning to step up support for Ukraine and stressed that until Russia agrees to a lasting ceasefire, pressure on its military machine will keep growing.