European leaders in Kyiv remember the fallen, call for peace

By Stefan J. Bos 

The leaders converged in Kyiv, recognizing that more than a million people are believed to have been killed and injured since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, recently elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk placed votive candles at the National Memorial of Remembrance at Kyiv's Independence Square.

They were accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska, whose nation has faced a devastating war that wiped out generations.

In a statement, they said that "We, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, will stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine". They made what was described as a joint "fruitful" phone call to U.S. President Donald J. Trump to discuss plans for a peace settlement.

Direct talks

French president Macron called Saturday for "direct talks" between Ukraine and Russia in the event of a ceasefire in Moscow's three-year invasion.

He said that if there were a 30-day ceasefire, France and others would be ready to help achieve direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.

He and the other European leaders in Kyiv were to reiterate calls for a month-long truce, which President Trump suggested could be the first step toward a sustainable peace deal.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine and its allies "are ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting already on Monday."

He added, "If Russia agrees and effective monitoring is ensured, a durable ceasefire and confidence-building measures can pave the way to peace negotiations."