Ukraine and European powers have demanded that Russia join an “unconditional” 30-day ceasefire from May 12 to allow talks on ending the war, saying they had backing from US President Donald Trump for the ultimatum.
A refusal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe the truce would trigger a fresh wave of sanctions targeting energy and the financial sector, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Saturday
The plan was announced after Zelenskiy held talks in Kyiv with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish premier Donald Tusk. The five leaders then discussed the proposal in a phone call with Trump.
“We have agreed that from Monday, May 12, a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days should start,” Zelenskiy told reporters. “Together, we demand this from Russia. We know that the US are supporting us on this.”
In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the Europeans of making contradictory statements that “are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations”.
Russian state media later quoted Peskov as saying: “We have to think this through. But trying to pressure us is quite useless.”
