Agree to unconditional 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine from Monday or face ‘massive’ sanctions
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is flanked by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a meeting of European leaders in Kyiv on May 10. (Photo: Reuters)
KYIV – Ukraine and European powers have demanded that Russia join an “unconditional” 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday to allow talks on ending the war, saying they had the backing of US President Donald Trump for the ultimatum.
A refusal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe the truce would trigger a fresh wave of “massive” sanctions targeting energy and the financial sector, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
The plan was announced after Zelensky 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 20-minute call with Trump that had not been previously scheduled and was described as “warm” by a person familiar with the interaction.
“We have agreed that from Monday, May 12, a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days should start,” Zelensky told reporters. “Together, we demand this from Russia. We know that the US are supporting us on this.”
Ukraine and its allies had “an absolutely clear and unanimous stance” on the proposal, Zelensky said. “If Russia rejects a full and unconditional ceasefire, sanctions should be applied.”
“In case of violation of this ceasefire, we agreed t
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