Ukraine Ceasefire Plan Backed by Trump Threatens New Russia Sanctions

European leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland stood together in a show of unity in Kyiv on Saturday, issuing a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin. They demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to end over three years of full-scale war in Ukraine. This proposal, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, was delivered to Putin with the threat of increased pressure, including sanctions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors.

The joint press conference, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of the coalition of the willing, marked a significant moment in the ongoing conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled to Ukraine together for the first time, emphasizing their commitment to supporting Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression.

The proposed ceasefire, set to begin on Monday, would encompass all forms of fighting, including on land, sea, and in the air. The European leaders made it clear that they are prepared to escalate sanctions if Putin does not comply with the ceasefire agreement. In addition to the ceasefire, the leaders discussed the need to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities and defense sector to deter future attacks from Russia.

During the press conference, Macron revealed that the United States would take the lead in monitoring the ceasefire, with European countries providing support. He also hinted at the possibility of deploying a force comprised of foreign troops to Ukraine as an added reassurance measure. The ultimate goal is to make the war too costly for Russia to continue fighting, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Despite the efforts to broker a ceasefire, reports of continued attacks by Russian forces in Ukraine highlight the urgency of reaching a resolution to the conflict. The European leaders emphasized the importance of finding ways to support Ukraine militarily, regardless of Trump’s stance on the issue. The fate of Ukraine is seen as crucial to the security of the continent, and pressure is mounting to find a peaceful solution to end the largest and longest war in Europe since World War II.