POLITICS

European leaders arrive in Kyiv amid push for 30-day cease-fire

May 9, 2025, 11:55 PM | Updated: May 10, 2025, 6:28 pm

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, meets with French President Emanuel Macron, center, an...

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, meets with French President Emanuel Macron, center, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz onboard a train to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv where all three will hold meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday, May 9, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The leaders of four European countries arrived in Kyiv Saturday in a joint show of support as calls intensify for Russia to agree to a monthlong cease-fire in the war.

The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, where they are expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making a first visit to Ukraine as Germany’s new Chancellor.

Along with President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict.

“We reiterate our backing for the President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

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European leaders arrive in Kyiv amid push for 30-day cease-fire