Merz, Macron, Starmer and Tusk in Ukraine: Increase pressure on aggressor Russia and Kremlin dictator Putin

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (69), French President Emmanuel Macron (47), and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (62) arrived together by train. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (68), whom they had met on Friday evening, arrived separately. The night before, the quartet issued a statement calling for a 30-day ceasefire.

"We reaffirm our support for President Trump's calls for a peace agreement and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts toward a lasting peace," the text reads. "Together with the United States, we call on Russia to agree to a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just and lasting peace."

The declaration contains two central elements. First, the four major European states emphasize their readiness to support peace talks as soon as possible to discuss the technical implementation of the ceasefire and prepare a comprehensive peace agreement. The bloodshed in Ukraine must end and Russia must end its illegal invasion.

The goal must be for Ukraine to exist as a secure and sovereign nation "within its internationally recognized borders." This also represents a rejection of Russian territorial claims. Russian invading forces control approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.

On the other hand, the Chancellor, the French President, the British Prime Minister, and the Polish Prime Minister emphasized that they want to put more pressure on Russia, which has again shelled Ukrainian cities in recent days. The statement addressed Moscow: "We will continue to expand our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to a permanent ceasefire, we will increase the pressure on Russia's war machine." Merz had spoken in Brussels about the willingness to significantly tighten sanctions against Russia.

Earlier, after a phone call with US President Donald Trump in Brussels, Merz emphasized that he hoped for movement after the weekend. After Ukraine, the Europeans, the EU, and NATO had agreed to the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, the ball was now "exclusively" in Russia's court.

During their visit to Kyiv, the heads of state and government are scheduled to lay wreaths on the Maidan for the fallen Ukrainian soldiers and victims of the Russian war of aggression. A virtual meeting is also planned with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (47) and several dozen other states to discuss plans for a supporting European force following a peace agreement. France and Great Britain, together with a "coalition of the willing," had begun planning for such a unit. A joint press conference is also scheduled in Kyiv.

Merz spoke with US President Donald Trump by phone for the first time on Thursday. He emphasized in Brussels that it was too early for such considerations and that decisions about a German contribution would only be made once there was a genuine peace agreement and it was clear what Ukraine needed. The idea is that this force would support the Ukrainian armed forces and serve as a deterrent against future Russian attacks. Merz emphasized, however, that such a deployment would only be possible in cooperation with the US.