Context:

Ukraine and its allies, including major European countries such as France, the UK, Germany, and Poland, are advocating for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, a proposal that has the support of US President Donald Trump. The European leaders have threatened to increase sanctions on Russia, particularly targeting its energy and banking sectors, should President Putin not comply with the ceasefire. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to pressure Moscow into peace talks to end over three years of war, with the coalition of willing countries committed to strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities. The proposed ceasefire includes halting all fighting on land, sea, and air, with the US taking a leading role in monitoring the truce. The European leaders also attended a ceremony in Kyiv, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, where they demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine by honoring fallen soldiers and civilians victimized by the ongoing conflict.

Dive Deeper:

• In Kyiv, European leaders from France, the UK, Germany, and Poland, supported by US President Donald Trump, called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, beginning Monday, to facilitate peace talks with Russia.

• The leaders threatened to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, focusing on its energy and banking sectors, if President Putin fails to comply with the proposed ceasefire, emphasizing their commitment to ending the prolonged conflict.

• The ceasefire aims to halt all hostilities on land, sea, and air, with the US taking a leading role in monitoring its implementation, potentially marking the beginning of the end for Europe's largest conflict since World War II.

• Efforts to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities were highlighted, with plans to provide arms and invest in its defense sector, and discussions on deploying foreign troops as a reassurance measure, although NATO membership for Ukraine remains unmentioned.

• During a ceremony in Kyiv's Independence Square, European leaders and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy honored the memory of those lost in the conflict, marking a historic moment for European defense and solidarity with Ukraine as articulated by French President Emmanuel Macron.